=Astrid's POV=
(Saturday, 6/1/19-4:00 pm)
(Berk, Archia Isle)
(Haddock Apartment)

I can't believe that in an hour, I'm going to senior prom. Finals were in, and while I didn't pass with all A's, I did good enough to be able to graduate. I had no intentions to go to college, but I had recently been considering to take some kind of trade education courses for the sake of finding a more stable job. Right now, I'm still working for the company because regardless of Hector about to become the CEO, we both agreed that things would get hard again if I had a lapse in work. Hector and I, at least, wouldn't be in the same building. I was working in the Berk branch as the lobbyist, and Hector would be at the main building in the city; Barbarchi City. It was Hector's idea, to help me out in not stressing about finding a job while also studying my ass off for finals. Hector, of course, will be graduating; he passed with all A's, on the Dean's List, and Honor Roll. I was happy for him, but I knew he was a little bummed out because he had the credentials to get into a good university and with a scholarship too. However, his after high school plans were already set in stone that he would be taking over the business which will be officially named Dreki-Viking Enterprises. I guess Hector came up with it during renaming negotiations, I kind'a liked it. Hector designed the logo too; he did say his artistic abilities would come in handy. It can't be disputed now. The name came from the fact the work produced benefited both dragons and humans, but since we're all about our Viking ancestors and having peace with dragons, the name worked well.

Last night was fun; I had the girls here for a sleepover. It was more like an end of finals party. The guys came for a little bit, but Hector was working until 8 pm, and then I knew he had other plans with some girl. Hector got home around 10:15 pm; the males were gone, so he said his hi to me and the girls, then he went to take a shower and finally retire to his office for the night. The girls and I had fun, but went to sleep around 12:30 am. Today, we started with breakfast; Hector went out early with Toothless and brought back donuts with a box of iced coffee, cups, and straws for us. Once we ate and got to have some coffee, we cleaned up the living room and started breaking out our prom things, then left them in my room while chatting about how fun the night would be while taking turns showering. We had lunch at the apartment, and by that time, Drew came over to keep Hector company while the girls and I went out to the salon to get our nails and hair done. We were back by 3:00 pm and had begun the process of getting into our dresses, using the bathroom and my room since the rest of the guys had begun arriving in their suits, but not fully dressed. The unexpected part was parents showing up to take their pictures, but had to wait since we weren't ready yet.

As it's now 4 pm, we're all dressed. The girls and boys. We let our folks take pictures of just us on our own, then with dates, the boys, the girls, and a group photo. Just to pacify the parents, we let them have their pictures with us too, meaning parents with respected child or children. It felt like the wedding all over again, to be honest. Finally, we were all ready to head to the prom; it was ironically being held at the same hotel where Hector and I got married. Despite that whole thing being forced, I couldn't have possibly imagined a more perfect wedding if I'd been marrying someone I loved and chose to be with. I still wasn't sure how I felt about Hector, I think I did have a little crush on him based on how the talks went with the girls last night. After the males left, but before Hector came home; I got to talk to them a bit. The girls agreed that I probably had a crush, or liked Hector and the best way to go about things was keep trying to show him that it would be worth it to try again. I still plan to wait until after graduation, Hector becoming CEO, and then the celebration parties of those two events to be done with before I say anything to Hector about the chance of trying to make things work again, without the arrangement of sleeping with others.

I didn't know if Hector and I would actually try to be a couple, but we could maybe go back to working together as husband and wife. We couldn't be a real couple unless we had feelings for one another and while I felt something for Hector, I didn't know if he felt anything for me after how I've treated him before the arrangement was put into place. There was too much to think about right now, I'd cross the bridge when I came to it. Tonight, my mind was on the fact it was senior prom and it's going to be a great night.

"Limo is here!" Hector informed. I smiled, so he did manage to swing getting us a limo. We soon exited the apartment with our things for the night and Hector locked things up, telling the dragons to behave themselves because he'd be watching. Yes, Hector and I decided we'd put security cameras in certain places of the apartment, and of course, the stable. Hector could access everything from his phone. "Let's go," He offered his arm to me as the driver of the limo came around to open the door and let everyone start piling inside.

"Hello, Mr. Haddock, sir," Greeted the driver.

"Jay…Come on, what did we talk about?" Hector chuckled.

"Right. No formalities outside of business. Sorry," The male, Jay, replied. "I'm honored to be your driver this evening, Hector,"

"You said you wanted something to do," Hector smiled. "I don't believe I've introduced you to my wife yet," He mentioned. "Jay, this is Astrid Haddock. And babe, this is Jason, my assistant,"

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Haddock," Jason gave a small bow.

"You as well, Jason. And please, call me Astrid. Mrs. Haddock makes me feel much older than I really am," I replied gently. "Just do me a favor and don't let my husband overwork himself,"

"I'll do my best to make it as easy on him as I can," Jason nodded. "Now, let's you all to your prom," He added. "Traffic is sure to be a nightmare," He smiled.

Unable to disagree, Hector helped me into the limo, then he sat beside me. Jason closed the door and returned to the driver's seat and we were heading towards the hotel for prom.

. . .

=Normal POV=
(5:15 pm)
(The Meade Hall)

Astrid learned that they weren't going to the same place as the wedding, but pretty close. The Meade & Great Hall were just to differentiate the hotel from the event space, but both locations were in the same spot, back to back. The location was officially known as The Hall A, for the hotel, and Hall B for the event center. But each building entrance was labeled as Meade or Great Hall, and their wedding had been the hotel, which was The Great Hall, and they were going to the event center, which was Meade Hall. So that is where their graduation would be in two weeks. Hector had explained it when Astrid mentioned that she felt they were in the wrong place and then she felt silly after Hector told her because she was so angry and nervous that day that she hadn't even noticed it was two different buildings. Finally, they had arrived and Jason dropped them off at the door and told Hector to shoot him a text when to come get them before driving off. The group joined the line of people getting checked in. It took a good fifteen minutes, so by 5:30 pm, they were inside and luckily found some tables that weren't immediately near one another, but close enough that they could wander between them to talk and hang out.

The theme of the prom appeared to luau-related, so everything was colorful and tropical-like. It was nice and Astrid was taking pictures of everything, Hector had promised himself to give her a night she wouldn't forget, again. You only got one senior prom, so Hector let Astrid take selfies of them, or one of the friends. It was one night, what harm could it do to enjoy things. It's not like anything good would come it. Soon, all of them were sitting in their spots, leaving Hector and Astrid to the smaller table against the wall to themselves.

"Wow…This is amazing," Astrid beamed.

"Yeah, they did a good job. Very colorful and festive," Hector replied, nodding in agreement. "What now?" He asked.

"I don't know, people are still arriving, so I don't think it's fully started yet. And dinner won't be served until 6:30 pm, right?" Astrid wondered.

"Sounds right," Hector said, trying to recall what he saw outside on the itinerary board for things done tonight. "You thirsty or hungry? They got drinks and snacks set up, I'll go get them if you wanna chill here with our friends?" He offered.

"No, I'm alright, Hector. Thank you, though." Astrid answered, still admiring everything. "I really owe you for getting two tickets…" She said as Hector looked at her. "I didn't get a chance to go to junior prom because of the guy I was with. We broke up, but he'd already bought the tickets. They sold out before I could get one, so I spent the night at home with my parents. Thank you…For thinking of me, and being here. I'm sure you don't really want to be," Astrid informed softly.

"You didn't miss much last year, it was pretty boring," Hector stated as they took a seat next to one another to be able to still see everything going on, and their friends too. "I think they did Viking-theme. Food was tasteless, not much to choose from. The music could put you to sleep while standing. Trust me, it wouldn't have been worth it to go. Hell, I didn't even stay for the whole thing. I bailed before dessert," He enlightened on last year's prom for when they had been juniors. "And you're welcome, Astrid. I know how things are with us, but I really do appreciate how much you've stepped up and helped me. It's taken a lot of stress off things," Hector said. "Nonsense. I'm happy to be here. Much better than sitting at home going over work stuff," He chuckled.

"So, prom night, I've heard, is infamous for people leaving early, sneaking off, and good majority of people get laid?" Astrid mentioned.

"That's what I've heard. Last year, me and my date left early and had sex in the car. Then we went for ice cream and I took her home. My parents were out at some business thing, I think Selena came over for a bit. That turned into sex too. So…While prom at the school was dreadful, my night was pretty fun," Hector shrugged. "Why you wondering? Gonna try and get laid tonight?" He asked playfully.

"What?" Astrid asked in surprise of his question. "No, no…I don't think that's a good idea." She replied. "What about you? Plans after we get back to the apartment?" She smiled.

"No plans tonight, other than being here," Hector responded.

"Really?" Astrid looked at him. "None of your girls wanted to hookup tonight?" It was too loud for anyone to hear them, so this was safe.

"Oh, plenty of them…But like I already told you, my only plans made tonight is being here with you," Hector repeated. "I turned my offers down because I asked you to the prom and I intend to carry that through until prom night is over. Not when this ends and we leave, but when the clock changes over to tomorrow at 12 am." He added.

"Hector…You didn't have to dedicate your whole night to me. We only have to act here like we're madly in love, within the walls of our apartment; we're just roommates. You don't have to keep things up when we get back," Astrid said gently. "Please, I don't want to take your entire evening. You'll be bored hanging around with me and would have more fun with one of your girls. I want you to do it."

"You've been pushing this real hard lately," Hector pointed out calmly. "Two times I tried to stop the arrangement for your safety. Yesterday, you told me sleep with someone after work. And now this, insisting I go off and get laid after prom ends," He paused. "Why are you so pro for me having sex with other people?" He asked.

"It's nothing, Hector. I just want you to be able to have a good time, and I know you don't have it with me. I don't want you to feel like you have to spend tonight with me, not doing what you want to do with them, just because it's prom," Astrid explained.

Hector sighed some. "Astrid, do you remember what I told you two weeks ago when we got home from the hospital? When I said that I didn't take Selena's deal because I chose to stay with you?" Astrid nodded to him slowly. "Then understand I am not doing this out of charade marriage or because I feel obligated to spend my night with you due to it being prom…I genuinely do not want to go off and get laid by one of my normal hookups tonight. I want to be here. I want to spend my night with you. I don't care what we do, but understand that this is what I want. Okay? I'm having a good time, and now that we aren't at each other's throats, I do have a decent time being around you," Hector smiled.

Astrid was shocked. Was he really doing this because he wanted to? Did Hector really turn down free sex on prom night to spend his time with her? It was all just making her more confused about things. Did Hector like her? Or was he trying to spend more time with her to find out if he did? Astrid didn't understand, but she didn't want to fight with him, so she just smiled and nodded in acceptance of his answer. The two sat there a bit longer, watching people enter, find their seats and meet up with friends. Everyone was laughing, smiling. It seemed the music had started and people were getting up to take to the dance floor. Astrid knew what Hector said, but she doubted they'd join the dancing. It was fine, at least she was here with him. That was enough for her to enjoy tonight.

. . .

(7:15 pm)

The night was going well, Hector and Astrid never got up to dance. By 6:00 pm, everyone had been checked in and the principal came up to give a few words about the rules, being safe, and the usual, have fun. After that, the lights dimmed some and the music began louder than before. The room's volume rose as well, leaving many people to have to stand almost directly next to the person they wanted to talk to in order to be heard. Luckily, Hector and Astrid were already sitting side by side, and their spot let them be close to their friends. The songs were all fast and everyone was really just snacking and talking. At 6:30 pm, dinner was served and things were a little better for talking. Dessert would be at 8 pm, give everyone a little time to relax and digest dinner. Hector and Astrid were minding their own, only some people were up to dance or get drinks from the snack table. The music was a little lighter, probably for the sake of letting people talk without have to scream over music and others.

After a fast song came to an end, a slow one began and Hector caught Astrid's reaction to it. Hector could easily see that Astrid must like the song playing, she was smiling and slightly swaying in her seat. Well, he told himself that he would make sure she had a good night and since they hadn't at all in the last two hours, Hector felt like a couple dances wouldn't kill him. Sitting up, Hector rose to his feet and Astrid looked at him as he walked in front of her and held out his left hand.

"Bored enough to want to leave early, sneak off somewhere in the school to have sex?" Astrid teased playfully, smiling.

"Tempting, and if you're offering, might take you up on it later," Hector chuckled as a blush stained Astrid's cheeks as the mention of maybe them having sex. Was that Hector's way of saying he was down to sleep with her if she wanted the same? Astrid wasn't sure how she should take it. "But no, I was going to ask if you'd like to dance with me?" He asked calmly.

"Me to dance?" Astrid looked surprised.

"Yeah, isn't that something people do at prom?" Hector said. "We've just been sitting here, and it's not crazy out on the floor…Figured we should take advantage. So…Would you like to?"

"Yes," Astrid nodded, "I'd love to, Hector." She added, placing her hand in his as he helped her up on her feet. Hector held her hand, leading her out on the floor and not long after were set up in a position to move slow with the music.

Astrid's hands were on Hector's shoulders and connected around the back of his neck while his hands were on her hips. The two of them hadn't danced since the wedding, but this was nice. They moved together in a slow circle, Hector would occasionally let her twirl or he'd lift her slightly. Neither of them talked, it felt a little awkward, but also kind of nice to be so close. At some point, Astrid moved in closer with her head on his shoulder, Hector just readjusted to have his hands around her back and keep things going. It was a moment where both of them, for once in this ordeal, didn't feel like they were being forced to act. This dance was something they chose to do and neither Hector or Astrid could deny that it felt amazing to feel like they got a choice in something. Even if the moment brief because the song ended and it went to fast again. Astrid smiled and raised her head up, looking at Hector; he smiled back at her and then placed a soft kiss on her lips. Astrid returned the action and they hugged before Hector led her back to the table. The only thing group of friends wanted to know was if the kiss was because they were expected to act like a couple in love, or had it been personal choice; it was highly decided that they probably wouldn't get that answer and also, that it wasn't any of their business even if they only wanted their friends to be happy. All of them were hopeful that moments like these would push Hector and Astrid into seeing that maybe there was something between them.