=Normal POV=
(Monday, 3/3/19-2:50 pm)
(Berk, Archia Isle)
(Hooligan High School)

It was the talk of the school campus right now, Hector Haddock bonded with a Night Fury after protecting it from Dragon Patrol, who wanted to tranquilize, then take it in to study and probably try to train. Hector wasn't having any of it, he stood his ground. In returned gratitude, the Night Fury decided to trust Hector, and then they bonded. It was said bonds were created out of mutual understanding and trust, but it had to be the dragon who chose who it bonded with. The strongest bonds were physical, and Hector got two versions of that trust. The Night Fury moved into Hector's touch, and then pressed his forehead to Hector's. It wasn't disputable, a bond formed. The Night Fury belonged to Hector now. It's was a big deal because there hadn't been a Strike Class bonding since the time of Hector's own ancestors ending the war. A Haddock and a Night Fury ended the second dragon war. And one thousand years before then, another Haddock ancestor ended the first war too. It was unclear if the dragon with the first war was a Night Fury, some of the histories had been lost to time. However, today; it happened. Hector and this Night Fury were bonded and while there were whispers about what they all witnessed, and many were in shock, the dragon patrol people didn't seem to change theirs on taking the dragon away.

"Alright, wonderful about the bonding…But you're just a teen-," The person who ordered the shot to be taken started. Unfortunately, the dragon patrol workers did not expect the Night Fury to instantly pull from the forehead touch with Hector, then protectively wrap his tail around the auburn-haired teenager with a menacing look and snarl that clearly read if you touch him, you're dead. Hector gently set his hand on the dragon's head and soothed him with a few light pets.

"Easy, buddy…They won't hurt me, or take you away because it's against the dragon bonding laws." Hector stated clearly as the Night Fury warbled soft and sat on it's hind legs next to Hector, but made no other move to leave his side or stop glaring at the people. "The dragon picks who it bonds to, and this dragon has chosen me. That makes him mine. There is no age requirement to bonding."

"Perhaps not, but you're still just a teenager. You can't train or fly this dragon without the courses," The head of the dragon patrol team reminded.

"I've already taken the courses. I did when I was fifteen, and passed with a perfect score. I have my flier's license too." Hector responded, reaching for his wallet to get out the evidence of his claim. Hector pulled out two cards; one that looked much like a driver's license or identification card and the other a laminated certification like what you'd do with your social security number. Hector handed the cards to the male, who was beside the principal too, so both of them were looking at it.

"How did you obtain these? It's obviously a fake," The principal remarked.

"You can't get this without having a bonded dragon, and you only just bonded," The dragon patrol person agreed with the principal.

"That is actually incorrect," Hector folded his arms over one another. "Anyone can take the dragon knowledge courses after their fifteenth birthday as fifteen marks maturity. All you have to do is find a class that has available spots. You will see that the certification proves I took the dragon knowledge courses three years ago because I found a class the day I turned fifteen. It's just like driver's education, only dragon classes cover the different types of dragon classifications and all the dragons within those categories." He informed calmly. "Also, you can do the advanced dragon classes at sixteen, which cover training and flying. So you will find that my certification card shows I completed the basic and advanced classes. When you pass the flying portion, you get your flier's license. My license to fly, if you also notice, acts as a trainer and wrangler license as soon as I turned eighteen, which I did three days ago on the 28th of February. I'm allowed to handle wild dragons, train, and fly them. The only thing I have to do now that I've bonded is going to the office of dragon affairs to get my bonded dragon ownership card." Hector took the two cards back and set them away. "Which I'm gonna go do right now."

"Wait, don't you have to go meet your dad?!" Astrid asked quickly.

"I'll call him on the way," Hector replied as he got his keys and tossed them to her. "Take my car to the apartment for me, babe?"

"U-Uh, sure, babe! No problem," Astrid smiled with a nod. Hector got on his dragon's back and adjusted to the easiest position.

"How's that feel for you, bud?" Hector asked his Night Fury, who gave him a warbled response and head nod. "Alright, let's get to the dragon affairs office so no one else gets the bright idea to take you from me?" The Night Fury gave a roar of agreement before he shot into the sky with a burst of speed and were soon out of sight.

"Well, don't see that happen every day…" Syrus blinked.

"No shit," Drew laughed. "That was awesome."

"Guess we'll talk to Hector later about how things went at the office, then with his dad," Heather shrugged with a smile.

Astrid was still shocked, but good for Hector. Maybe he'd be in a good mood later on then. "We'll keep you posted on things! I should get home, work on homework, and then dinner," Astrid smiled, then unlocked Hector's car and slid in. She buckled herself up, started the car, and pulled out of the spot to leave campus and get to the apartment.

. . .

(8:45 pm)
(Haddock Apartment)

Astrid didn't hear from Hector much since his departure from the school campus with his newly bonded dragon, but Hector did send a message to ask if she reached the apartment safely in his car. Of course, Astrid answered immediately that all was well and she was working on homework, then intended to tidy up, and make dinner. Hector replied with an okay, at the dragon affairs office, be back late. Astrid assumed this had something to do with Hector having to go right to work with their fathers after the dragon identification thing. When a human and dragon bonded, the human would get an ID card saying that they were bonded to a dragon, the name of, species, and breed. Usually, other identifying information too. It was like having a pet, only the dragon didn't get a nametag. Astrid knew they could, but it was the owner's choice. Hector didn't believe in dragons being pets, rather, they were friends.

Around 5:00 pm, Astrid finished her homework. As she planned, she cleaned things up that needed it, and then made dinner. It was a basic hamburger helper, and she ate alone at 5:45 pm. Astrid talked to a couple of friends, and around 7:00 pm, her ex-boyfriend Tristan picked her up and they went to his place ten minutes away to have sex. Astrid was just getting home now and seeing that Hector had landed with his dragon, she didn't know why seemed embarrassed to have Hector see her get out of Tristan's car.

"See ya soon, babe?" Tristan said to Astrid.

Astrid gave a small smile, nodding and then Tristan puckered his lips at her. Astrid gave him a small kiss goodbye, then Tristan left the apartment and Astrid faced Hector, hoping she wasn't blushing. "Hi, Hector…Welcome back," Astrid greeted softly.

"Hey. And thanks, I think. Welcome back to you too, I guess?" Hector told her. "I'll be inside after I get Toothless settled," With that, Hector took his dragon, dubbed as Toothless now, around into the backyard. Astrid had no idea where Hector was stashing this dragon, but he obviously had an idea. Astrid moved along into the apartment and let Hector do whatever he was doing, she just grabbed a quick shower and then got to the master room to change into pajamas. When Astrid came out, Hector was coming into the apartment from the front door since the sliding glass ones were locked from the inside.

"So…Toothless?" Astrid asked when Hector was inside and had locked the main door.

"Yeah…" Hector rubbed the back of his head a bit. "I thought it was fitting since retractable tooth, and aside from the bonding…I think I trusted me when I fed him, showed I wasn't scared." Hector shrugged.

"I like it. Naming your dragon is supposed to be something personal and special. You captured that, in my opinion." Astrid complimented.

"Thanks…" Hector responded.

There was a small awkward silence between them now, neither knowing what to say.

"How was…Uh, working with our father's?" Astrid decided to ask. Hector gave her a slightly annoyed look. "I'm just asking how it went…I know it's not your favorite subject,"

"Well, I caught it from dad about being late. After the dragon affairs office, I got there around 4 pm and explained why I was late. I had texted him originally at the office and said something came up, would be late. By the time we got started on learning things, it was probably about 4:30. Overall, mostly boring things. We went over the layout of the new building, departments, and what floors they'd be on. Went over the security system, and what my main duties would be as CEO," He explained.

"Sounds boring," Astrid smiled a bit. "Are you hungry?"

"Yeah, a little," Hector nodded.

"I'll warm up leftovers for you. It was just…Hamburger Helper, the Italian Shells one. If you want?" Astrid offered.

"Uh…Yeah, that would be great. I'm gonna use the bathroom and take a quick shower," Hector mentioned.

"Okay, I'll have it ready for you. Um, want it set in the dining area or here in the living room? Maybe your office?" Astrid wondered.

Hector was heading down the hall already. "Living room is fine, Ast," He informed. "Find something for us to watch. After being in that office the last four hours, I don't want to see a desk or computer until tomorrow…" He groaned. Astrid had to laugh a little when Hector disappeared into the bathroom. This was odd, kind of nice. They were talking casually, not arguing or being hostile, and actively not avoiding one another. Astrid wondered if maybe they could end up getting closer. For now, it was merely an idea. Astrid went to the fridge and got out the leftover container with the dinner tonight in it, she put some on a plate and set it in the microwave to warm up when she knew Hector would be just finishing his shower. Was it bad she knew how long he showered? Was that something that happened when people lived together, knowing how they were? If that was the case, then Astrid was maybe finally settling into married life.

. . .

(9:15 pm)

At the five-minute marker after the water for the shower went off, Astrid set the food on the plate for a two-minute reheat. She knew Hector would dry off in there, then move across the hall into his office to change into pajamas. Astrid grabbed Hector a water bottle from the fridge, fork, and napkin. While passing the microwave, she pulled out the food and set it up on the center living room table just as Hector came out of his office through the sliding door side. Hector checked outside on his Toothless, then finally sat down.

"Thanks, for heating it up and setting it here for me," Hector stated, sitting down on the couch. "You didn't have to go out of your way,"

"It wasn't out of the way, I had to walk right by when I got myself a drink and small snack," Astrid informed gently, grabbing the remote. "So, what do you wanna watch?"

"Anything works. I like comedy and action," Hector mentioned, lifting the plate to get a few bites in. "How was your night?" He asked while Astrid was channel surfing.

"Uh, pretty quiet. Did homework, tidied up a bit, made dinner. After that, I think I talked to Heather, Madison, Cassandra, and Roxanne on a group call for Skype." Astrid said, leaving out that she left for an hour or so with her ex-boyfriend.

"And went out with your ex, right? That Tristan guy?" Hector wondered casually. "I recognized his car,"

"Um, yeah…He hit me up and asked if I wanted to hang for a bit because he was bored at home." Astrid answered calmly, making it seem like no big deal.

"You two back together? He called you babe, and you kissed him," Hector chuckled, focusing on his food. Astrid tensed up and blushed.

"Not really…Together. I'm married to you, which makes it hard to have another relationship because of the restrictions," Astrid muttered a bit.

"So just hung out as friends? Shared a goodbye kiss?" Hector grinned a little. Astrid blushed more, turning her head. "Astrid, you can tell me the truth. I'm not gonna get all ticked off if you hooked up with your ex tonight. We have an agreement, remember?" He reminded.

"I know…I guess it's just weird to talk about when the conversation about who you slept with the person you're married to, even if we're separated or whatever…" Astrid mumbled now.

"Why? Married is just a legal term for spend your life tied to someone else. Our marriage is merely for the contractual obligation. There are no feelings between us, and we both agreed to the terms of our deal to stay married to prevent many issues with business and family," Hector said. "We're just roommates, remember? Why is it weird to tell me if you got laid? I got laid yesterday before the party," He admitted.

"I sort of figured when you showed up late," Astrid giggled.

"That was not why I was late. There was an accident and I had to go around…" Hector rolled his eyes. "Regardless, I don't care who you sleep with, Astrid. Just remember the warning…I won't raise someone else's kid to keep up the charade…" He warned firmly, but not in a cold tone.

"Yeah, yeah. I know…Don't get pregnant. Relax…Regardless of having my virginity taken, I still only let my ex fuck me anal. He hates it, but whatever…I'm not dating him, nor running the risk of pregnancy," Astrid sighed. "Hence why I said there were restrictions in all this. No guy wants to date a girl who is married, separated or not, and can't have normal sex,"

"You could, I don't care," Hector remarked.

"No. It's a personal choice not to do it regularly and if a guy wants to hook up, those are the rules. I make sure any of the guys I sleep with understand that prior to actually meeting up. Birth control and condoms are too unpredictable, so I'm not taking the risk of getting pregnant by making sure there's no way I can. No vaginal sex, no sperm in it, no baby." Astrid explained.

"Well, I admire your desire to stay married by making sure you don't get pregnant by someone else," Hector chuckled, looking to the TV and eating another few bites.

"Do you do it normally? With girls?" Astrid decided to ask. Hector nodded. "How come you don't worry about getting them pregnant?"

"I pull out before I cum, even with a condom," Hector confessed calmly. "Just like you, I have my own rules with girls."

"They don't lock their legs around you in an attempt to keep you in one place to finish together? I know I lock up," Astrid shrugged.

"I don't cum until they have first, then pull out and it's hand job from there," Hector enlightened.

"Do you ever do anal?" Astrid inquired.

"Now and then, but only if my partner is into it. Of the girls I hook up with, only two of them are into it for it to be considered often used. There's like one who will do it once in a while. It's usually just because it changes things up and they know I won't pull out to cum while doing anal. And they like it, anal orgasms are supposedly better than vaginal. Or so they've said," Hector smiled.

"Never let a girl fuck you before?" Astrid grinned.

"None have asked, and I don't just bring that up when we're about to screw. I'm open-minded, I wouldn't mind seeing how it goes. Provided it's with someone who knows what they are doing," Hector admitted calmly. "And why are you so interested in my sex life all of a sudden?"

"Just talking, Hector. A casual conversation between roommates, right?" Astrid asked.

"I guess." Hector kept eating afterward. Astrid located something on TV and they both just watched. "Your ex your only partner?" He wondered.

"I had a few others in the start, but again, restrictions were a turn off so it's just my ex and like one other guy right now. Also, it's not very often. Maybe once every other week, unless I'm on my period," Astrid replied. "Mostly because it's hard finding places to do it that aren't here, we're confined to their place or a motel. Then there is the availability factor,"

"I get it," Hector nodded.

"How many partners do you have?" Astrid turned the question on him.

"Right now, about three actives who are basically free when I am. But overall in total, probably six or seven." Hector informed.

"Odin above…Go you," Astrid blinked, actually surprised by the number.

"Well, there are more…But they are completely random, and then there's you." Hector laughed a bit.

Astrid's face brightened with res staining her cheeks. "M-Me? B-But we're not…" She began, confused why Hector would call her one of his sexual partners.

"We've had sex before, Astrid. And maybe we're not right now, but remember I told you that if you wanted to keep up the charade of married we'd have to have a child eventually. We'll end up sleeping together again and there's never a guarantee of it working on the first try." Hector stated seriously. "So yes, you count as a sexual partner."

"Okay, yeah…That makes sense. Sorry, I took it out of context," Astrid admitted shyly.

"Did you think I meant actively sleeping together now? It's obvious we're not," Hector looked back at the TV.

"Wasn't sure if you meant it as us fucking at random as we'd said before. I know what was said in the agreement, but…I just took it wrong. Sorry." Astrid waved it off, looking at the show again.

Hector eyed her a moment, wondering if that was her very bad way of asking if they'd have sex again outside of them trying for a child down the line. Regardless, Hector let it be. He didn't want to get into all that with her tonight. He knew what they agreed on, but he was keeping to what he told her originally. He wasn't going to ask her for sex, not as husband and wife or just roommates. If she wanted it, she could come to him. Hector wouldn't do it before then. Once he finished eating, he tossed his plate in the garbage and then the fork in the sink. Hector checked on Toothless again, then sat down to relax and watch TV. It seemed their conversation died off in awkwardness about Astrid's assumption with them sleeping together. So aside from little snickers or laughs with the show, they were watching, it was quiet between them. Hector also worked on his homework too, not that it was a bunch because he had time while waiting at the dragon affairs office. Around 11:00 pm, Hector saw Astrid go off to bed and then he shut things down and did the same. Before midnight, both of them were fast asleep in their rooms and the night was peaceful.