The room was hot, Astrid had to take off her sweater to cool down. There was still another 15 minutes until it started again and Astrid just wanted to take a few breaths outside, she had her bracelet on so she wasn't worried about getting locked out or not being allowed back in. It was peaceful outside when she heard her phone vibrate, she lifted it seeing Hiccup's name come across the screen and a smile came across her lips as she opened it. ::Hey, how's the concert? -Hiccup.::.
::Incredible. They already played all my favorites! They said next they were doing new ones. I wonder it Play It Again is one of them, well you said it was that day at your house. I can't wait to dance to it. -Astrid.::
::I'm glad. Work was hell. Might hang with Tuff or Legs for a few hours. -Hiccup.::
::I wish you were here, this would be so much more fun with you. -Astrid.::
::I'm sorry, I'll try to make the next one for you. -Hiccup.::
::I'd like that. Well better get back inside before it gets to crowded. Talk to you after? -Astrid.::
::Of course, message me when you leave and I'll meet you at the house. -Hiccup.:: After that, Astrid put her phone away and sighed turning around and heading towards the entrance when she ran in to someone, looking up she saw Eret.
"Hey Astrid. Thought I might run in to you here." Eret grinned. Astrid tried to push past him but he put his arm out blocking her.
"Move, Eret. The show is starting soon." Astrid said becoming angry.
"Be with me again, we can enjoy the show together." Eret said softly.
"No. I told you, its over. What you did was unforgivable! Now get out of the way." Astrid elbowed him in the side as he moved and she walked back inside, Eret grabbed her arm. "Let go of me." Astrid demanded trying to get his grip off her wrist.
"No way babe, I've been looking for you all night. Not letting you get away now." Eret said to her. Inside, Hiccup was standing behind the security guards looking at the cameras and didn't see Astrid so he was a little concerned.
"How are things looking?" Hiccup asked him.
"Nothing so far Strike." Replied the male. Hiccup's eyes trailed to the different cameras on the screen then one caught his eyes. The main doors, Astrid was outside and Eret was with her, holding her wrist and she looked angry.
"What entrance is that?" Hiccup asked pointing to the screen.
"The right side sir. Should I have my men take care of it?" The guard asked.
"They can follow me." Hiccup ordered as he ran out the back stage door and circled around with 3 of the guards. He crossed his arms over his chest and put a calm look on his face. If he showed to much concern, she might catch on to him. "Hey pal, the lady said to leave her alone." Hiccup said firmly.
"None of your business pretty boy, this is between me and my girlfriend." Eret snapped.
"EX girlfriend. I am not your girlfriend you jerk! Let go!" Astrid yelled as she punched him in the face, when he let go she kicked him in the balls. He dropped to the ground whimpering in pain.
"My apologies miss. Are you alright?" Hiccup asked her gently.
"Y–yeah...I just...want to go back inside to enjoy your show..." Astrid said trying to calm herself down. Hiccup nodded as he snapped his fingers.
"I want him removed from the building, now. Make sure he doesn't get back in." Hiccup said. The 3 guards escorted Eret out as Hiccup moved beside Astrid now.
"Thank you...How did...you know I was in trouble?" Astrid asked him.
"The camera's are set up backstage, I walked by and saw it. I don't approve of men handling women as if they are rag dolls." Hiccup replied.
"I appreciate it mister...Strike?" Astrid asked.
"Strike is fine. Now, lets get you back inside. The second half is about to start." Hiccup told her with a smile. Astrid nodded as she walked back in with him. "So you're up front eh? Well then, one of my songs will be dedicated to you because any woman who can do that to a man is okay in my book. See you on stage." Hiccup said to her as he slipped through a side door before anyone noticed him and returned backstage. Astrid blushed a bit as she made her way back in to the main area and to her spot up front, she looked at her wrist and hissed a bit. Hiccup was going to flip out when he saw this on her, she may as well warn him ahead of time. Pulling her phone out she pulled up Hiccup's and her own texts. ::Eret found me outside the show...I'm okay, just a bit shaken up. He grabbed my wrist to pull me away but the lead singer...Strike was outside and he distracted Eret, I punched him and kicked him in the balls. Strike made him leave and made sure I got in okay. -Astrid.:: After that she put her phone away in her pocket as the lights dimmed once again and the crowd began to cheer and clap.
"And we are back! Who is ready for more fun!?" Hiccup yelled out to the happy crowd. "Well alright then. The second half will have some of our new songs which will be available for purchase after the show. Ready guys?" Hiccup asked looking to Fishlegs and Tuffnut.
"Ready, Strike!" They replied to him. Hiccup nodded and looked down at Astrid to make sure she was okay, she was holding her wrist. He was going to beat Eret clear in to the next month for this, Hiccup was glad he'd gotten to her when he did. Right now he had a show to do then rush home so she wouldn't suspect anything.
"Alright, here we go then! The name of this song is called You and I." Hiccup called out as the music began.
"Tonight a candle lights the room. Tonight it's only me and you. Your skin like gravity, is pulling every part of me. I fall, you and I collide..." Hiccup started softly then the music picked up.
"What if I stay forever? What if there's no goodbye? Frozen for a moment here in time. Yeah! If you tell me the sky is falling, or say that the stars collide. The only thing that matters in my life, is you and I tonight." Hiccup looked forward again, becoming softer once more.
"Our eyes close the candle burns away. But I know the fire still remains. This love is all we need. We fit together perfectly. I fall, you and I collide." The music picked up louder.
"What if I stay forever? What if there's no goodbye? Frozen for a moment here in time. Yeah! If you tell me the sky is falling, or say that the stars collide. The only thing that matters in my life, is you and I tonight!" Hiccup sang out, his eyes falling to Astrid again who was loving the song.
"I wanna see this through...I'm gonna give it all to you!" Hiccup held the note then it softened once more.
"Tonight a candle lights the room. Tonight, it's only me and you, oh!..." The 3 sang together in unison.
"What if I stay forever? What if there's no goodbye? Frozen for a moment here in time. Yeah! If you tell me the sky is falling, or say that the stars collide. The only thing that matters in my life, is you and I tonight!" Hiccup sang happily.
"Tell me you'll stay forever! Just you and I tonight...Tell me you'll stay forever! Just you and I tonight..." The music finished as the crowd erupted in to applause again.
"Don't worry, we got plenty more where that came from and anything you don't hear live will be on the CD." Fishlegs told them, more applause. Astrid loved the song, it was beautiful. She couldn't believe Hiccup was missing this, she hoped he was watching it on TV at least. She looked at her cell and sighed seeing no response from him. Hiccup noticed this, had she texted him after the Eret situation. He couldn't look right now, he'd have to answer right away when the show ended. After another 2 hours, they were coming to a close and they still had one song left, the one Astrid wanted to hear most and he was going to bring her on stage to sing it with him.
"So did we like that?" Hiccup asked now, more cheering. "Then lets keep this going. Next will be our last song for the night, and I am dedicating to a new friend of mine! Its called, Play It Again! It's a little different than most of our music so we hope you like it. Lets go boys!" Hiccup announced looking at her with a small wink., Astrid's eyes widened now. He was dedicating that song to her? She felt her cheeks heat up a bit.
"Dude she's gonna figure out its you! You showed her that song before anyone else!" Fishlegs snapped in his ear piece. Hiccup turned his head a bit and glared.
"We already discussed this guys. Don't back out now." Hiccup replied.
"Let him be, Stone. He's in love. Go through with it, Strike. Hell bring her on stage." Tuffnut gave him a thumbs up.
"Alright we're gonna do something a little different." Hiccup faced the crowd again as he leapt off stage and down to front row. He walked right up to Astrid with a smile. "I want my new friend up with me for this song." Hiccup said in to the microphone. Astrid's face turned to instant shock. Hiccup held his hand out to her now.
"M–me? Oh, no that's not a good idea..." Astrid protested quickly.
"Sure it is, come on up! Lets give her some encouragement! Come on!" Hiccup yelled in to the microphone now, everyone began to cheer for her and push her towards him. Astrid blushed and smiled.
"Okay, okay, I'm going..." Astrid said as Strike led her on the stage from the side stairs. A stage helper brought her an ear piece microphone and hooked it up. "Just listen to the words and repeat them." The man told her, she nodded quickly and looked at Hiccup now.
"So, we only just met outside a few hours ago. I don't think I caught your name?" Hiccup asked smiling.
"As–Astrid..." She said trying to calm her nerves now praying that Hiccup wasn't watching on TV.
"Well, Astrid. I'm sure you know who I am right?" Hiccup asked her.
"Y–you're Strike. Le–Lead singer of Fire Storm." Astrid replied calmer now.
"Right you are! You ready to sing with me?" Hiccup asked adjusting his mic.
"S–sing?!" She exclaimed quickly.
"Of course! I didn't bring you up here to watch, Astrid. Let's hit it guys!" Hiccup said to queue them to start. Astrid took a deep breath now as the music began now. Praying to Odin she didn't mess this up. She listened to Strike begin. She thought back to the day she heard it with Hiccup, she remembered every word and smiled.
"She was sittin' all alone over on the tailgate. Tan legs swingin' by a Georgia plate. I was lookin' for her boyfriend thinkin', 'No way she ain't got one.' Soon as I sat down I was fallin' in love, tryin' to pour a little sugar in her Dixie cup. Talkin' over the speakers in the back of that truck...She jumped up and cut me off. She was like..." Hiccup stopped and pointed to her now.
"Oh, my God, this is my song. I've been listenin' to the radio all night long. Sittin' 'round, waitin' for it to come on and here it is." Astrid sang nervously. Hiccup smiled bring the mic close back to his mouth now.
"She was like..." Hiccup sang looking back at Astrid.
"Come here boy, I wanna dance." Astrid sang. Hiccup nodded taking her hand and swinging her around on stage making her smile wide
"'Fore I said a word she was takin' my hand. Spinnin' me around 'til it faded out and she gave me a kiss...And she said?" Hiccup sang looking at her.
"Play it again, play it again, play it again." Astrid sang softly.
"And I said, "Play it again, play it again, play it again." Hiccup repeated smiling to her.
"I'd gave that DJ my last dime, if he would have played it just one more time. But a little while later we were sittin' in the drive in my truck. Before I walked her to the door, I was scannin' like a fool AM, FM, XM, too. But I stopped real quick when I heard that groove. Man, you should have seen her light up! She was like..." Hiccup didn't even have to look this time as she started right away on her queue.
"Oh, my God, this is my song. We've been listenin' to the radio all night long. I can't believe that it came back on, but here it is." Astrid sang out happily as she lifted a finger motioning for him to come over to her, Hiccup obliged happily.
"She was like..." Hiccup sang as Astrid grabbed his hand starting to dance with him.
"Come here boy, I wanna dance." Astrid said in a sing song voice.
"'Fore I said a word she was takin' my hand. Spinnin' in the headlights she gave me a goodnight kiss." Hiccup said as Astrid pulled his collar down and kissed his cheek lightly. "And I said, Play it again, play it again, play it again. And she said..."
"Play it again, play it again, play it again." Astrid sang out after he did.
"The next Friday night! We were sittin' out under the stars. You should have seen her smile...When I broke out my guitar..." Hiccup sang as he was handed an acoustic guitar by one of the stage men and started playing the notes softly. "She was like..."
"Oh my God, this is my song. I've been listenin' to the radio all night long. Sittin' 'round, waitin' for it to come on and here it is." Astrid sang softly standing beside him, swaying to the music with her hands on his shoulders.
"She was like..." Hiccup sang looking at her.
"Come here boy, I wanna dance." Astrid sang as Hiccup got up dancing with her slowly.
"'Fore I said a word she was takin' my hand. Spinnin' in the headlights she gave me a goodnight kiss." Again she kissed his cheek. "And she said..."
"Play it again, play it again, play it again." Astrid sang gently looking at him directly.
"And I said, "Play it again, play it again, play it again." Hiccup sang.
"Yeah, play it again, play it again, play it again! Somebody, play it again, play it again, play it again!..." They sang together as the music stopped and it was silent a moment before the room hit an all time high for loudness with cheering and clapping happily. Astrid's heart was beating in her chest as she felt Strike take her hand and bow down. Astrid bowed beside him, then the other two came over and bowed as well.
"We want to thank everyone for coming out tonight, without you there would be no us! And I want to thank my friend for helping me out on stage. She did a great job, didn't she?!" Hiccup yelled out, everyone cheered and clapped. Astrid blushed nodding to them. "As a token of appreciation. We want you to have the first copy of our new CD. Signed by all of us and free of charge. Thank you, Astrid." Hiccup said as he handed her the CD, her eyes widened while the stage man took off her head piece and rushed off stage.
"Thank you again everyone. Have a great night and please, drive safely." Fishlegs said as the 3 of them started waving to everyone as they filed out slowly.
"So, Astrid, what did you think?" Hiccup asked her smiling now.
"It was...just wow. I was scared out of my mind!" Astrid exclaimed to him.
"We are glad you had a good time. Please drive home safely. Hope to see you at our next show. Thank you again!" Hiccup said to her as she was helped off stage by the guards and she left with the others. Hiccup turned now heading backstage. "Follow her. Make sure that guy from earlier isn't waiting outside." Hiccup ordered.
"Yes sir." Responded a voice. Hiccup plopped on the couch now as he took out his cell phone and saw her text about Eret, he sighed. ::Sorry I didn't answer, I ended up crashing on Leg's couch watching a movie. I'll beat his ass again if you want me too? -Hiccup.:: "Alright, I'm getting showered and going home. Great work everyone, as always." Hiccup called to them as he headed to the showers with his bag of things to change in to. 15 minutes later he was done and in another car heading home.
Astrid reached Hiccup's car when it was pulled up front for her and got in leaving the valet a tip, then leaving. Sitting at a stop sign she heard her phone signal a text. She reached for it and looked, a smile gracing her lips as she saw it was from Hiccup. ::I'm tempted but no, its okay. Leaving now, be there in 30-40 mins. -Astrid.:: She put the phone down and started driving back to Hiccup's place. It dawned on her that this was her last night there since her parents would be home tomorrow night and she'd have to stay there again. But why was she upset about that? It's not like Hiccup and her were together, as in a couple. Astrid sighed focusing on the road, it was late. Past midnight in fact. She was tired and still excited over what happened earlier. She couldn't believe he pulled her on stage and made her sing with him, it was scary, nerve-wracking but so fun.
Hiccup got home around 12:20am, he raced inside and sitting on the couch with the remote in hand and a movie on when he heard the door open. He pretended to be asleep when Astrid walked in and out her bag and purse down. Astrid sat on the couch beside him looking at his face for a few minutes. 'I don't know what's going on with me lately...Why do I feel this way around him?...He looks so peaceful when he sleeps. I shouldn't wake up him up, he had a long night too.' Astrid thought now as she pulled a blanket from the back of the chair and covered him up to his neck and turned off the TV for him. Astrid stared at him again, she moved closer to him now and before she realized it she closed her eyes and kissed his lips gently. Hiccup's eyes shot open and looked at her. He tried to calm down and figure this out but he ended up just kissing her back. It got her attention because she pulled back real fast with a red face.
"Well. That's one way to get woken up. Welcome back." Hiccup said to her. Astrid scrambled off the couch quickly covering her mouth. Hiccup saw it, she looked like she was going to cry. He got worried now as he stood up moving towards her. "Astrid?..." Hiccup said. Astrid shook her head quickly.
"I–I'm so–sorry...I–I don't know what...I'm sor–sorry!" Astrid forced out as she ran up the stairs to her room and shut the door.
"What the...hell just happened?...I–I didn't mind but...but why is she freaking out?...I guess I'll ask her tomorrow..." Hiccup sighed out as he turned off the lights and went to his room and fell asleep. Astrid was calling herself stupid over and over again inside her room. She was crying too, why did she do that! Why did she just kiss him out of the blue and when he was asleep too. Astrid hit herself in the head trying to figure out why she did what she did.
"You've been here too long, Astrid...You'll go home tomorrow and this whole thing will pass...then its back to normal, just doing the project with him and making it through the last year." Astrid whispered to herself as she kicked her shoes off and fell asleep around 1:30am.
