{A/N: Originally, this story was going to be in the Viking Universe, but me and my never-ending ideas decided last minute to make this a Modern Universe with some Viking elements. So that's what we're gonna do. I know many of you asked for a Hiccup & Astrid story next, and that's what this will be. There will be dragons and my usual antics of torturing our beloved pairing. Thought I'd give you the warning now so you don't all come after me in the reviews or messages with your torches and pitchforks when I inevitably make them miserable or not like themselves for parts of the story. I do promise a happy ending and you know that I always deliver on that vow. I will request now that if you do not like the story, please refrain from making rude or mean reviews. If you don't like the story, you do not have to continue reading it. Or perhaps you didn't like a certain part, but are still curious to see what happens; all I ask is that we stay respectful in the reviews. If you are a guest reviewer and leave hate, know my guest reviews are turned on and I will not accept them. If you are a member to the site, I don't mind constructive criticism, where you mention something you didn't like, but add how I could improve. Don't just come to the reviews to throw around that you hate it, or that I'm making the characters not how they are. Yes, I know, that was the point of the story and you all know that in my tales; people often change as they come into who they are meant to be. People make mistakes, but learn and grow from them. People act differently towards others until they get to know them. So please, just be patient and you'll see. Again, if you don't like the story or the pairing…I am not forcing you to keep reading it. Any who, with that being said…On with the story!}

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=Normal POV=
(Friday, 6/15/18-2:30 pm)
(Berk, Archia Isle)
(Hooligan High School)

Students rushed from their classrooms and into the hallways when the final bell of the day rang out. The school year was over, and everyone was anxious to meet up with friends or just get off the high school's campus. For Hector Haddock, leaving the school today didn't mean he would never step foot back into the building as he would be back in September as a senior. Still, it was an enjoyable moment to know that junior year was over, and he could now relax mostly through the summer; he would have to go to work on some days and others, he would likely meet up with his friends. At the moment, Hector was making his way to the student parking lot to reach his car. As he walked, he saw others doing the same; walking the path to the lot to reach their cars or dragons. Hector longed for such, to bond with a dragon, and loved the fact that they were lucky enough to live in a time that dragons did too. Rules at the school were you had to be eighteen with your flier's license to ride your dragon too and from school. With driving a car, you could be seventeen, with your license, and having a parking pass. There also had to be an available spot for you to park, so if there were none, you were put on the waiting list. To get that pass, a student had to maintain a B average in their classes and also be able to pay the monthly pass fee, which was $30. There was one parking lot for students and a mix of juniors and seniors parking there. There was another area for the dragons to stay during school hours.

"Hey! Hiccup!" The teenager ceased walking and turned to see his friends coming towards him.

"Hey, what's up?" Hector asked the group of five.

"We're meeting up with Cass, and Theo for pizza to celebrate the end of junior year, wanna come along?" Inquired a male with short brown hair and blue eyes. His name was Syrus Jorgenson, and he was Hector's cousin through their fathers, who were half brothers by Hector's understanding. Syrus also had a younger sister, Alexia, who was two years younger than them, but going into her junior year at fifteen because she skipped over ninth grade.

"Ah, I wish I could. Dad needs me to come right home today for work stuff," Hector informed.

"That sucks," Claimed a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, her name was Roxanne, but everyone calls her Roxy. She has an identical twin brother named TJ.

"Want us to set it for a later time tonight, maybe dinner?" Offered a blonde-haired, green-eyed male. This man was Flynn Ingerman and technically one of Hector's cousins too, a third cousin one if Hector remembered correctly.

"Knowing my dad, and that this is work-related, I'm gonna be spending most of tonight with him over whatever this is about. He mentioned a meeting regarding the potential merge, so it could take a while. You know I'm technically in training to take over the company after I graduate next year," Hector sighed some. "I promise we'll get together over the summer, I told dad he wasn't allowed to take the whole vacation for work stuff." He reassured his friends.

"Alright. We'll catch you later then," TJ, Roxy's twin, said.

"Yeah, I'll hit you up soon," Hector nodded then he raised his hand as his goodbye gesture and then continued his way to get to his car. Reaching his black 2018 Toyota Camry, Hector unlocked the doors and slid himself inside the driver's seat. Fastening his seatbelt, Hector turned the car on, and got out of his assigned space, and got into the line of cars exiting the school grounds to get himself home.

. . .

=Hector's POV=

Finally out of the line, I was on the main road driving to get to my parents' house. I wasn't looking forward to this meeting, but I knew I was my father's only child and it meant a lot to him that I take over the company after I graduate high school next June. What I could be grateful for was that this company, Archian Enterprises, was a type of place that built things that were needed all the time. Call it a business of inventing, and I enjoyed that sort of thing, so it was the other reason I agreed to become the CEO. However, I wasn't in that position yet. Dad said when I turned eighteen, we'd get into the more serious training of that job. Right now, I'm just kind of his intern; coming to the company to learn the different departments and branches locations. I only recently started this when I turned seventeen back in February. Before that, I was working for my godfather's auto shop since I was fifteen. I had been there prior to being fifteen, but not legally working on the books; he'd pay me under the table since I was thirteen and before all that, I was really just there so he could watch me while my parents worked. My godfather's name is Glenn Forger, he's gay, and my father's best friend. I consider him my uncle, and he taught me everything I know about being a mechanic, which is how I got into wanting to build things. I wanted to be an engineer or an artist. Working at dad's company, I sort of get to do both.

So, a little about me. My name is Hector Haddock, but my nickname is Hiccup. The short story behind that is I was born two months early, and have always been on the smaller side for weight and height. In Viking times, this labeled you a runt or a hiccup. My godfather started it, and with how much it's used, I sometimes wonder why my parents didn't just rename me to Hiccup Haddock. I've gotten accustomed to people calling me Hiccup and Hic over the years, but I guess now that I'm older, I hear a fair mix of Hector and Hiccup. I respond to both, so it's whatever to me what name people address me with. My birthday is February 28th, 2001; I have auburn hair and green eyes. I am still on the short and skinny side. I stand about 5'8'', weigh around 120 pounds. You met my friends earlier at the school. Well, you met two of them, and the other three were my cousins. The two people Syrus mentioned, Theo and Cass, are friends I grew up with, but we don't live in the same town. Theo is Theodore Meatsen, and Cass is Cassandra Boggs. Theo's parents and Cass's mom are good friends with my parents, and we live within twenty minutes of each other. Theo lives in Meaterhead and Cass in Boghaven. I live in Berkville.

I've got other friends in other towns, but don't get to see them to often due to distance. We keep in contact by texting, social media, Skype and Discord. Three other friends I have are Drew and Heather Bazirk, then Evan Trapp. Drew and Heather are siblings, Drew being older by three years, and they live in Berzer, but moving to Berkville because the cost of living is a bit cheaper and a way better school. Evan lives in Berkville too, but he was originally living outside the Archipelago. Drew and Evan are not in school, around the same age, and are best friends. Drew and Heather consider me like a brother to them, so Drew often calls me brother. I don't mind. His and Heather's father was a good friend of my dad's, he passed away when Drew was nineteen. He took custody of Heather afterward and been taking caring of her since. Heather is also dating Flynn, they got together just a week or so ago before junior prom. Evan and Roxy like one another, but agreed to wait on becoming an official couple until after Roxy turns eighteen in a few months. TJ is into Alexia, but due to her being two years younger, I think he's holding off on saying anything. I don't see anything wrong with it as long as they aren't doing anything sexual until she's eighteen.

I went to junior prom this year, but not with a date. I've had relationships in the past, probably started dating when I was fourteen. Nothing has really lasted more than eight months, and the breakups were due to different things, and usually mutual. I think there was only one girl I left because she was cheating on me. I'm not a virgin, the first time I had sex I was fifteen and I've had sex beyond that with past lovers and a few random hookups if the opportunity was there. My parents know about the intimacy with exes, but not the hookups. I don't think they'd take well to the information, but maybe they do know and acting like they don't. My parents have been very adamant about me always having protection on me, so to pacify them, I keep condoms in my car, and at least one in my wallet. Again, it's not like I do the hookups all the time and I have rules to it. I keep it to a small number of people I'm willing to have sex with at random, and while it usually only takes a message asking if I'm up for it, the event happening depends on my availability. Sometimes I ask them if they're down for a quickie, but that's only if I feel a release would help calm me down and don't want to masturbate to achieve said release.

I'm generally a calm individual, it takes a lot to get me mad. I can get annoyed and frustrated over little things, but it takes something big to get me actually angry. I'm extremely sarcastic but kind and caring. I like to help others if I can, love designing, inventing, and drawing. I enjoy music too. I like school, but it's never been hard for me. I'm thinking about doing harder classes for senior year; I had the option to do that, but if not, they stick me in the basic stuff for twelfth grade. I'm a bit of a geek because of the types of things I'm into, I hate sports. Well, I don't mind watching them, but I won't play any. Despite being a nerd, I have a 4.0 grade-point average due to my straight A's, and I'm still considered a popular guy in school. I think it's just because of who my parents are; my mom, Vivian Haddock, is a top dragon doctor, and my dad, Spencer Haddock, as mentioned, runs a very well-known company. However, there is a few he's in competition with, but one is trying to set up a merger with dad's company. If this joint thing works, the company will become the largest in the Archipelago and have enough clients to take this business around the world. So, it's a big deal being negotiated, and not sure what my dad needs me for regarding it, but as I'm now pulling in the driveway, I suspect I'll be finding out soon.

. . .

=Normal POV=
(2:50 pm)
(Haddock Residence)

Hector parked in his space, grabbed his backpack off the front seat, and got out of the car to get into the house. "I'm home," Hector announced after getting through the door and closing it behind him. Hector walked through the entry area to see the kitchen and living room.

"Welcome home, my son," A woman with long medium brown hair and green eyes greeted, walking over with a gentle smile and setting a kiss on Hector's cheek, then hugged him.

"Hi, Mom," Hector replied.

"How was your last day of junior year?" Vivian wondered.

"Quiet. Mostly pizza parties, movies, or general discussion about what everyone's plans are for summer," Hector shrugged. "How was your day?"

"Slow, few appointments, couple things to maybe find solutions to," Vivian chuckled.

"Sounds like we both had dull days," Hector smiled. "Where's dad? I got his message during lunch hour to come home after school for work stuff,"

"I believe he's in his office, dear," Vivian stated calmly.

Hector nodded and headed off to his father's office which was to the right of the main foyer beyond the front door to the home. Hector knew that originally, his father's office used to be the designated living room, but since they had the bigger space deemed the family room near the kitchen; his dad converted it into a home office. The door behind the kitchen was the old dining room, but that was also converted into mom's home office. All the bedrooms were upstairs, and there were four of them. Spencer and Vivian had the master suite, left of the staircase going up to the second level. The laundry room was also to the left, before the master bedroom. Hector's room was right from the master, he had his own personal bathroom off it too. The other two rooms were spares, one belonged to Glenn as he lived in the house too. The four rooms between Hector's and Glenn's spaces were basically storage.

Hector finally got to his dad's office and took a breath before knocking three times with his knuckle. "Dad?" Hector called.

"Hey, son! Come right in, my boy," His father invited cheerfully. Hector turned the handle and walked into the office, then shut the door, and stood before his father's desk. "How was school?"

"Average," Hector responded with a small shrug. "How about you?"

"Busy," Spencer laughed a bit.

"Joys of being a big CEO of an Archipelago-famous company," Hector almost rolled his eyes.

"If this merge goes through, it will be globally famous," Spencer reminded.

"Getting any closer to closing the deal?" Hector wondered.

"Somewhat. Negotiating the final parts now, all to do with securing the integration," Spencer informed.

"If you're doing that, why have you stopped the meeting to talk to me?" Hector asked.

"I felt you should be part of it," Spencer replied.

"Dad…We talked about my involvement with the company stuff being kept to a bare minimum until I turn eighteen…" Hector sighed.

"I know, son…But as the upcoming CEO, I think you should be part of this meeting. If this merge happens, there will be a brand new central office, network, and a lot that I don't want to have to add into your leader training in February…" Spencer explained. "If you join me for all that talk, then I don't have to get you up to speed on it and we can focus on just the duties of CEO," He added. "Maybe you can offer some ideas too, you're good at that,"

"Fine," Hector dragged one of the chairs over behind the desk to sit beside his dad. On the screen, he saw a few others there already in the conference video call.

"Say hi to your future boss!" Spencer beamed as Hector almost groaned while everyone waved and said hello to him, Hector just waved to them with a smile and sat back.

. . .

=Hector's POV=
(5:00 pm)

I was literally starting to fall asleep from the length of this negotiation meeting. I understood they took time with such a big merger idea, but it should be in a conference room with the people involved and probably with lawyers. I'd tried to take part, some ideas had been taken into consideration. I was getting hungry, and I know mom was likely almost done with supper. Uncle Glenn was probably home too now and told to stay quiet by mom because we were in a meeting.

"Well, I think the last thing to discuss is the security of the merged contract," Spencer said.

There was a light few knocks. "Dinner, boys," Mom informed.

"Son, why don't you go ahead of me. We're just wrapping this up quick and I'll tell you at dinner." Spencer smiled. Thank the Gods.

"Okay, Dad. See you in a few minutes then. Bye everyone," I waved to the others in the meeting and quickly moved to return the chair to in front of my dad's desk, then grabbed my backpack and left his office. I was so happy to be out of there. I knew I should get used to sitting in meetings, but they'd have breaks in them when I did things. I felt so stiff right now. I set my backpack by the stairwell as I'd take it upstairs with me later, and then I headed for the main floor bathroom to wash up. I joined mom and Uncle Glenn at the table, the food was already set out. It looked like we were having Shepard's Pie tonight, one of my favorites.

"It looks great, Viv. Those cooking lessons we got you have paid off," Glenn joked as mom glared, but knew it was true. For the longest, my mom just couldn't cook. Too bland, burnt, undercooked; she always found a way to mess up a meal. Last year for her birthday, which was in May, Glenn and dad got her private cooking lessons at the house. Mom is doing great with cooking now, before it was me and Glenn, but sometimes dad would cook a meal too. We started to eat and dad joined us around 5:30 pm.

"How'd the meeting go, Spencer?" Vivian inquired.

"Surprisingly well. We've got everything worked out," Spencer replied.

"Figure out that security thing that was mentioned before I left?" I decided to ask while I was getting another forkful of my food to eat.

"Oh, yes! I'm glad you asked. We decided that the best way to do things was through an older times method that is still used today," Spencer proudly stated.

"And that would be?" I pushed. Older times meant things that had been used back in the day of Viking times. That is where we descended from, and some things were still incorporated from then to now.

"I'm so glad ya asked. Back in the day, marital contracts were used to seal alliances between tribes. We felt this would be the best way to secure the merge, so there will be a wedding. Owner of the other company will be marrying his daughter off to someone in the company." Spencer enlightened.

"An arranged marriage?" Vivian said in surprise.

"Bit out there, but I guess I can see wanting the merge to be completely secure," Glenn shrugged.

"So I know Mr. Hofferson has a daughter…Her name is Astrid," I mentioned.

"You know the lass?" Spencer asked. I nodded. "How well? Mr. Hofferson wants me to see if I could find anyone in the company that would be a good husband match,"

I thought a moment. "She's my age, birthday in April…I think. We had some classes together and she's Heather's best friend but doesn't hang with my friends and I. She's a straightforward, proud girl, stubborn too. Known to be a bit sarcastic, no-nonsense, and independent. I've heard she can get violent when angry too. Whoever marries her needs to likely be similar to even one another out."

"Oh, well, in that case, I know exactly who fits into that spot," Spencer chuckled.

"Who? The guy in the mailroom?" I joked a bit.

"Very funny, son…But no." Spencer smiled. "The answer was right in front of me…You." As soon as the words left my father's mouth, silence fell over the room and eyes fell on him. "Mr. Hofferson is arranging his daughter to marry for the security of the merge, its only fair that I also arrange my child. You are also sarcastic, straightforward, and independent. You have a temper and definitely stubborn. It's a perfect match." Spencer added. "You and Astrid will be married to seal the merge between companies." My fork dropped from my hand onto the plate as my eyes widened and my mouth hung open in shock at what he said. I was marrying Astrid to solidify the business deal!?