TW - bullying, fighting and blood.

Astrid had come over after she'd had dinner with her family. Her mother hadn't wanted her to, but her father allowed her to leave and asked her to be home by nine. Hiccup could overhear his father talking to her in the living room, explaining what had taken place at the school, what the school had explained to him, and also what Hiccup had admitted. While they talked, Hiccup laid with his back turned towards the doorway. He knew Astrid would be in, and was already preparing for another interrogation.

Astrid knocked to announce herself, and she crawled into bed next to Hiccup. The gesture floored him, mainly because she had never crawled into his bed like she had. They'd cuddled on the couch before, but not like this. She wrapped her arm gently around his side, pushing one of her arms under his pillow to cradle his head a little bit. Her chin fell into his neck gently, and she kissed the back of his head.

"I missed you today," she breathed into his hair after a moment.

"I missed you, too," he said. "Thank you for taking me to school so early."

"You are welcome," she said. She gave him a gentle squeeze, then he could feel her leaning herself up onto one elbow, and she started playing with a shaggy lock of hair just behind his ear.

"How's your cheek?" she asked.

"It's all right."

A few minutes later, she sat herself up, and continued to smooth out the strands behind his ear absent-mindedly, and he could tell she was braiding the ends.

"That feels nice," he said cutting into the silence between them.

"You hate when I do this," she said.

"Mmmmm, not today."

A moment passed by, and he pushed himself up in bed. Avoiding eye contact, he pulled his legs up and hugged himself. He could feel her sky eyes studying him, wishing for nothing more than to help him and, once again, try to solve his problems.

She wrapped her arm around his back, adjusting herself into his pillows, and began to run her fingertips along his shoulder blades. Silence continued to pass by, before he felt her pull his arms from around himself.

"C'mon, relax for me - "

"Astrid - "

"Please," she breathed. His emerald eyes met her sky, and he could see she was holding it together for him, but barely. Sadness spread through her in waves, yet he knew if he told her the truth with what was taking place, more anger would fuel her. She often became defensive over him. Fishlegs had said he heard a few girls talking one day in their study hall about his leg, each making assumptions over him, when Astrid told them to just drop the subject before it continued on.

"What's it to you?" one of them had said.

"I'm his girlfriend," she said.

"I didn't want to be on the other side of her," Fishlegs said. "If looks could kill - her's would have."

Hiccup stretched out as she asked. Like always, she started out with touching his knee, more or less asking permission to help him. He nodded, not looking at her, and she started the process of massaging his stump.

Even though he knew her massaging the area helped tremendously, this intimacy was something he still couldn't relax entirely with. He gave in most of the time when he was in such horrible pain and it wouldn't go away. But, when they were just sitting and relaxing like they were, he wished she would leave it alone. Although, he had to admit, the nights that she worked on the stump he did sleep much better.

"I am worried about you," she said to him quietly.

"You and everyone else," he breathed. Her hands were easing down towards the end where the skin was tender from the prior day, and he winced when she began working on the much more tenderer spots. He had to remind himself if he'd gone to PT that day, he'd probably have a scolding in some form, and inform him that he needed to continue to soak and massage the area.

"Can you tell me - was it really you falling, or did one of the guys do that to your face?"

"Astrid - " His response came out in a small whine of annoyance.

"Can you tell me if there is a reason?"

He pulled his leg from her touch, and he sat up and looked at her. Her eyes darted to the bruising spot on his face, and she bit her lip to control the gasp that would have escaped her mouth.

"I don't know what the reason is," Hiccup said. "Right now, I am just trying to get past this in some way. You, and my dad, and the school, and even Katherine will not leave me alone. I just want to move past this right now, okay?"

Astrid met his eyes, and she nodded. "I'm sorry."

He leaned forward, and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Trust me, I will tell you what is going on when I can - and I feel like I can, all right?"

Again, she nodded.

"You know, I don't mean to worry you. And, I am sorry if I do."

She nodded, and touched her hand to her cheek, where his had rested.

"I love you," he said to her quietly.

She leaned into his hand, and he saw a small tear escape the side of her cheek. "I love you, too."

The following day at school, Hiccup kept his head down. He'd ditched one of the crutches, added the prosthetic, and kept his hood up over his face as much as he possibly could to hide the blemish on his face. Outside of the cut on his cheek, and the bruising that was taking hold around it, his eye surprisingly had not taken on any negative color. For the most part, it seemed easy to hide the insecurity that Brock had caused.

Even with a single crutch, he'd decided his chances of avoiding Brock and possibly another one of his buddies was better met by walking within the crowded hallways of the school. The only sign he'd seen of Brock was at the end of the day, when Astrid had met him at his classroom to walk with him - per his request. Brock narrowed his eyes at him from across the hallway, and Hiccup turned away, talking to Astrid as she pulled his free arm over her shoulders.

Leaving the school, he breathed out the tension.

"You've been edgy today," Astrid said to him as she drove them to his house.

He nodded. "I know." He knew she could sense those times when she was around him. Over time, she had grown to understand his body language.

"It's the weekend, though, and date night!" Hiccup smiled at her excited squeal. He could tell she was trying to change the tone to a more upbeat topic. She was looking forward to meeting up with Heather and Sage.

She'd asked him late last night what he planned on wearing. The topic threw him off, but then, he had to remind himself that they'd never really gone out like this. This was something completely different than what they usually had done. Then, he had to remind himself that she'd asked the same thing the night of the homecoming football game. It was their senior year, and she'd asked him to go to watch their classmates be crowned for court, and simply enjoy a night out with people. They'd actually had a good time. He'd hoped this night wouldn't be much different.

Astrid drove them to his house, and from there he took a moment to inspect his leg. The crutch had been more of a precautionary for the day. The rubbing wasn't there, and he felt pretty decent to where he felt he could go to a basketball game with minimal walking. When he told Astrid this, she leaned on the door frame of the bathroom and sighed.

"Not a good idea?" He asked.

"No, it is probably a better idea considering the steps are not steep, and with the crowd and finding a place for your crutches…" She trailed off. "Gosh, I sound like it's such an inconvenience and it isn't - I am sorry!"

He chuckled at her statement. "I didn't take it that way - but you are making some pretty valid points." He stood and walked across to his room to put his crutch away.

"Are you sure I didn't make it sound like that?" Astrid asked quietly.

He returned to the hallway, and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, drawing her close to his chest. He kissed her forehead, and squeeze her gently.

"Coming from you, no, it sounds perfectly logical," he said.

She pulled back and glanced up at him. He could see her eyes falling onto his cheek. Even though she promised she wouldn't bring the incident up, and knew she'd been thinking about it. He'd caught her glancing at his blemish more than once, and quite honestly, even seemed to be watching the boys with varsity jackets a little more closely than usual. It was as though she was waiting to find the person that looked at them, or him, the wrong way.

"It's fine," Hiccup reassured her. "Let's just enjoy our evening with Heather and Sage. It's the weekend, and I don't want to put a downer on the mood."

Hiccup hadn't had too much interest attending the bigger sporting events. In junior high, the in thing to do was go to the events, then spend the time running around the stadium chasing after other classmates. He'd sat in the student section before with a few of the cross country runners, maybe twice, but all they ever really seemed interested in was talking about the opposite sex, who was seeing who, who was a jerk, diva….that sort of thing. He'd had the experience and it simply just was not something he cared to do.

However, with Astrid and Heather, and of course, Sage, the experience seemed to be better. The four arrived within fifteen minutes of the start time. Even though two of their party were no longer students, they sat just a row over from the student section. Girls from the volleyball team were elated when they saw, and realized, Heather was there. A few times Heather introduced Sage to a few people, and a few words were exchanged and a, "See you later, we will catch up soon!" would be said. They all knew that more than likely that would be the last they spoke through the whole game.

Astrid had insisted that Hiccup and she wear Vikings t-shirts, and she painted the their cheeks with solid black streaks to be more "spirited." When Hiccup looked in the mirror, he realized that she'd practically made his blemish invisible. He wouldn't have to hide his cheek and explain to Sage and Heather what had happened. This was a relief to him.

"No more hiding under that hoodie," she said with a wink.

They'd bought popcorn to share, and Hiccup insisted on joining Sage at some point and introducing him to the Viking Nachos.

"Not without us!" Heather said, giving a goofy glare at him. He threw a handful of popcorn at her face.

As the announcements were made, and the crowd stood to the National Anthem, Hiccup's eyes darted down towards the line of basketball players. He saw Brock standing, his hand over his chest, and he was looking up their way. Then, his eyes made contact with Hiccup's and he tilted his head up to acknowledge him.

Hiccup's chest pumped suddenly, and the last few lyrics he stood trying to calm himself. He knew that Brock wanted Heather alone so that he could "talk" to her. But, Hiccup hoped over the course of the game that the desire would go away. Clearly, he could see Sage with Heather. He should have gotten the hint, Hiccup would have thought.

Hiccup could hear the murmurs of Heather and Sage talking on the other side of Astrid. Around them, he noted the student section screaming with delight with every basket any Vikings player made. The chant of the cheerleaders hung in the background, and the sound of their shoes hitting the ground with every jump they and skid they made made also echoed along with the basketball drumming down the court. Hiccup could make out the sound of a child whining just a bit. Perhaps, the child was out past their bed-time.

A fowl was made; Vikings could take a penalty shot. It was Brock. Hiccup glanced over at Heather to gauge any reaction, however she was smiling as Sage whispered something into her ear. Then, her head tilted back in a very real laugh, and he saw Sage's cheeks dimple as his smile grew. He could see it. They were smitten with each other.

The crowd cheered; Brock had scored.

Before Hiccup knew it the quarter was over, and Vikings were leading a close game of 32-27.

"How about those nachos?" Sage leaned over and asked Hiccup.

"Those sound so good!" Astrid said.

"Same! I am starving!" Heather said.

"Are these nachos big enough to share or should we get one each?" Sage asked.

"Each," the girls said in unison.

"Okay, that has been decided," said Hiccup, and he stood.

"Would you mind grabbing me a bottle of water?" Astrid asked, reaching into her cross body to pull out some money. Hiccup place his hand up and shook his head. "I have it, don't worry." He leaned in and kissed her forehead, and began his descent down the narrow stairs.

Upon stepping down onto the court surface, he let out a deep sigh. Sitting in the crowd was a little overwhelming sometimes. Too many people all at once.

"Girls seem to be having a great time," Sage said to him as he stepped down beside him.

"They are," Hiccup said, and they started walking towards the cafeteria.

"It's weird sitting in a crowd," Sage said. "I haven't sat in a crowd for a basketball game since I was a freshman."

"Did you enjoy basketball?" Hiccup asked him, now finally in the cafeteria where the air was a little cooler.

"I did," Sage responded. "But, I was injured the beginning of my senior season. I ended up tearing my rotator cuff, and I needed surgery."

"Ouch, man," Hiccup said.

"Yeah - I was done after that. They found worse damage than they'd thought. Once that happened, I just never went back."

Hiccup listened to Sage talk as they approached the food counter. When Hiccup ordered four Viking nachos, and two bottles of water, and two Dr. Peppers, and paid, Sage was taken aback.

"Dude - "

"Trust me, I have it," said Hiccup with a smile. "It's not often I get to treat friends."

"I can't let you do that." The food was being sat down in front of them, and the cashier handed Hiccup his change.

"I have dinner, you get dessert tonight? I overheard the girls talking and they want to go to the diner after the game. They sell malts, shakes, brownies with ice cream…It's one of Heather's favorite places…"

Sage nodded. A distant look in his eyes told Hiccup he was thinking a little bit about what he just said. "That sounds like a plan." Then he looked down at the nachos that were in front of him. Four large piles of chips topped with nacho cheese and sloppy joe meat piled high on top. "Wow."

"They taste better when they are soggy," said Hiccup. "Would you mind carrying them, and I will grab the drinks and the forks?" He gestured to his leg, and Sage complied, sitting napkins down under the surfaces so his hands didn't get too warm.

The girls were excited when they arrived back. It was clear being in the stadium gave them different vibes. They were gossipy, and together they were critiquing the other teams moves. They were screaming in dismay with the crowd when the wrong call was made against the Vikings. Hiccup hadn't seen Astrid so fired up before at a sporting event.

Then, Brock took an open hand to the face on accident, and was knocked to the ground. Hiccup couldn't help but feel karma had gotten him, but the satisfaction passed quickly when he saw that his nose was bleeding profusely. Astrid and Heather were on their feet yelling with the crowd about the other team being "dirty." Sage rolled his eyes, and shook his head at Hiccup.

He leaned back behind the legs of the girls, and yelled over them, "I sure hope my mother didn't act like this when I injured my shoulder."

Hiccup gave a small, nervous laugh.

The next five or so minutes, all the sound around Hiccup drowned out. He'd become lost watching the coach at Brock's side, placing a cool, damp cloth to his face. Within minutes the towel was showing red. Another player took his free throw shots. Brock disappeared from the floor after being escorted out by a standby medic.

For some reason, Hiccup felt the air clear a little bit more. He hoped Brock was okay, but was thankful that he was no longer there. Perhaps he could ease up a little bit more and enjoy the evening with his girlfriend and friends…

The Vikings would go to another game. Brock was no where to be seen the rest of the game, and Hiccup eased up as they retreated to Astrid's car to meet Sage and Heather at the diner. Astrid was still talking excitingly about the game.

"…And, Brock, I am sure his nose is broken…"

"Hopefully he is all right," Hiccup said, and Astrid continued on.

"Tuesday night should be interesting. Would you want to go?"

This question threw Hiccup back a bit. "Uh - we can, if you want to."

She stopped at a red light, and met his gaze. "Are you sure? You don't seem too convinced?"

He gave her a small smile. "It's our senior year - why not?"

They arrived at the diner before Sage and Heather had, and took their seats close to the entrance. Hiccup ordered a water, and Astrid asked for a glass of iced tea.

"Actually, make that two," he said kindly to the waitress.

They sat together and went over the menu, debating on what dessert to get.

"Actually, I am in the mood for some real food," Hiccup said, and he reached for a menu on the other side of Astrid.

"The nachos didn't fill you up?" she asked him.

"Ah, no," he laughed. "I'm surprised myself, considering how large they are. But, a burger sounds good."

"Can I split some fries and ranch with you?" she asked.

"Of course!" he said.

They were both thinking it was rather odd that Heather and Sage had yet to arrive. Astrid glanced at her phone to see if Heather had text her.

"They stopped for gas," Astrid said.

"Makes sense," Hiccup replied. Glancing out the window, he saw Heather's black Ford pull into the parking lot, and then panicked when he recognized Brock's blue Chevy pulling in directly behind them. Rudy Rice was also in his passenger seat from what Hiccup could tell.

"Uh - " he began, panic rushing through his veins.

He watched both cars park, both two cars from each other. Then, he watched Sage exit the car, and begin to rush to the back of the car to Heather's other side to open her door. Instead, Brock had rushed there first from the front, beating him to the car, and instantly pushing Sage back.

"Oh, shit!" Hiccup said, and he was on his feet and out the door with Astrid following behind.

"What's the deal?" he heard Sage yell, fists up, squaring up Brock. The guy had a bandaid over the bridge of his nose. Clearly, he had broken it at the game.

Before Brock could speak to Sage, his eyes fell on Hiccup, and a smile crossed his face. He pointed a finger at Hiccup directly. "I told you to get this punk away from her."

Hiccup felt his teeth clench.

"Heather, Heather, just stay in the car!" Sage yelled suddenly.

Heather was pushing the door open to get out. Brock's look of pleasure crossed his face. "There she is - "

"Take a hike, you jerk," Heather said cooly. Her arms were crossed over her body.

"I just wanna talk - "

"I am sure you do," she said in a mocking tone. Hiccup was taken aback.

"Uh - Heather - "

"Is this the dude that did that to your face?" Astrid yelled suddenly from behind Hiccup.

"Just stay back," Hiccup said to her, reaching his hand back. His insides jumped at all angles in anxiety and adrenaline when Astrid spoke up. He saw Brock's eyes dart towards Astrid.

Sage and Heather both looked very confused when Astrid spoke. The topic was dropped very quickly, when suddenly Hiccup was tackled, and down on the ground again. Ruby was on top of him.

"No!" Hiccup heard Astrid and Heather yell.

"Now, we have your attention," Brock said.

Hiccup was on his front, his busted cheek was against the cold asphalt, both hands pinned behind his back by Rudy, his whole body weight practically on top of his thin frame.

"Get off of him!" Astrid screamed.

"Not until she talked to me!" Brock said.

"What is going on?" Sage asked. He was still in a stance of protection.

"Miss Priss, here, wouldn't talk to me. Blocked me from contacting her on her phone, social media. Even wouldn't respond to my emails…"

"For good reason, too," Heather responded.

"What did I do wrong?" Brock asked.

"Let me see here, Brock. Oh, you cheated on me with my friend Courtney," she responded.

"That wasn't anything," he insisted.

"Just because we went to two different schools does not make it okay to date us both," Heather said. "You are a jerk and a creep. Now, tell your goon to get off of my step-brother - "

"He told me you weren't related," Brock said.

Hiccup suddenly felt Rudy's grip constrict around his shoulder very tightly.

"Leave him alone!" Astrid yelled. Hiccup could hear her footsteps growing closer.

"Astrid, just stay away!" he yelled the best he could. "Please…"

"I'll let him go, if you come on a drive with me," Brock said.

"Over my dead body," Sage said. "I don't know who the hell you are, but she is not going anywhere with you - "

Suddenly, Hiccup felt more pressure against his shoulder again and it took all he had to hold in a scream.

"Don't!" Astrid cried. "Please, just leave him out of this! Leave us alone!"

"I will once Heather starts talking."

Hiccup was struggling to breathe. With his body pushed into the cold ground, and the weight pushing down on his back, he felt suffocated. He really needed to find a way to get up, escape. This was by far the worst he'd ever had to endure dealing with a bully. He'd been chased, called named, smacked around a little bit, and pranks had been played on him multiple times in the past. He'd been shoved around at the swim meet just last year, but he'd not been held this tightly or felt this vulnerable.

"If I go with you, will you please let Hiccup go?" he suddenly heard Heather ask.

"Of course."

"No!" he heard Sage yell, and then a scuffle.

Hiccup was suddenly turned onto his back by Rudy, a hand was heading towards his face, and he went into a ball in an attempt to avoid the hit to the face again. Instead, the punch went to the side of his head, and then he could tell his prosthetic was pinned down. He reached and released the pin, and scooted his way backward and out of the hold Rudy had him in.

"Hiccup!" Astrid yelled, and before he knew it she was at his side trying to pull him up out of Rudy's line of contact.

Hiccup turned towards Brock and Sage, who were in a boxing match. Sage was circling a little bit, but he was blocking Heather, who had been pinned close to her car. Hiccup was in shock. She held a strong face, although he could see she was quaking where she stood. She was leaning against the side of the car to keep herself upright.

Rudy then rushed Hiccup and Astrid, knocking them both to the ground. Hiccup heard Astrid cry out in pain. He felt Rudy on top of him. He rolled into another ball, then positioned his foot just right to where he could push Rudy off quickly. However, Rudy came right back at him.

He could feel fists digging their way into his back, and a kick suddenly at his lower back caused him to see stars on the other side of his eyelids.

"Stop it!" he heard Astrid cry, and she was physically over Rudy. He could hear him grunt as he threw her to the side.

"You little tease!" he yelled suddenly.

"Leave him alone!" Astrid yelled again.

Suddenly, Hiccup heard contact made on someone's face between Sage and Brock. He glanced over quickly, seeing that Brock was holding his face again, blood coming down.

Then, suddenly, Hiccup heard sirens. And, they weren't far away either. They were right next to them, just as Rudy landed a punch to his right side, causing him to taste blood.

"Hands where we can see them!' Hiccup heard a gruff voice yell. Too many senses, and emotions were rolling through him. He was on the ground, however he did his best to keep his hands above his head to show them where they were at. He hurt so badly. He could hear Astrid and Heather's distant sobs.

The gruff voiced man was not alone. He could hear at least three more sets of footsteps on the ground around him. More voices were also around him. He knew they were people inside the diner either coming out to see what had happened, or people that were going to be heading in but paused because they were not sure what to do, to stay or go.

Breathing hurt, and he had to turn over a bit to spit the blood out of his mouth.

"Hiccup - " he heard Astrid whisper.

"I'm all right," he breathed.

The rest of it was a blur. He heard feet come up beside him. An officer checked his pockets. As that officer was patting down Hiccup's legs, Hiccup heard him gasp with concern when he made it down towards where Hiccup's left shin should have been.

"I have a prosthetic," Hiccup said quietly.

"Go ahead and place your hands down, kid," the officer said to him. "You have ID?"

"In my side pocket," Hiccup said. He felt his wallet leave, and then:

He heard the beeping of the shoulder radio.

"Hey, Sarg. I need you to get a hold of Attorney Vast…"

Hiccup's head collapsed against the ground then. They knew who he was. Hiccup and his father were the only Vast family in town. The last name was not common inside the county.

The officer then helped Hiccup sit up. His ribs killed, his head swam, but he turned to look for Astrid.

She, nor Heather or Sage, were within eye sight.

….

So, I do not know anything about proper procedure when it comes down to arrests, bookings, etc. So, please excuse my lack of knowledge with this chapter and the chapter following this.