The time was nearing 10pm, it was time for the last song of the night-the new one Hiccup had told them they were gonna play. This was also the song he'd secretly told Astrid they would release tonight because he felt she should hear it to help her get through her breakup. It was interesting to know that not even fifteen minutes of her breakup though, he broke up with Heather as well. Hiccup had been thinking about it all night, considering it the last three weeks since he overheard Toothless and the other band members discussing that not even they liked Heather because she was always all over Hiccup, and apparently they found her to be a bitch. Hiccup couldn't believe how quick she flipped around after he called her clingy, obsessed, and annoying. Heather instantly tried to have sex with him right there in the dressing room, that was definitely a deal breaker for him and more so when she kept pushing the issue after he'd said no. What choice did he have but to leave her? He didn't want to be with her anymore, and also the fact that doing something like that would give the band such a bad image-he didn't want that. Easiest solution to a lot of problems was break up with her and be done with it.
Now they were all on stage preparing for the finale song. After this was the backstage meeting, then he could just get out for a little while to clear his head. It wasn't often that he actually needed time alone-but this was something he just wanted to get away from and not have his friends asking every ten minutes if he was okay or not. He knew they just wanted to help but to Hiccup, he gave Heather anything and everything she could ever want and yet she still wasn't happy with him. Hiccup could see that clearly, that Heather didn't like his tours or all the practices. All she really wanted was the expensive dates, being in the spotlight, and the sex. That's not what Hiccup wanted, he wanted a real relationship. One consisting of love, trust, communication. He didn't want something where the girl would only want what he could give physically. Fat chance with his lifestyle-dating a celebrity made things all the harder on a relationship, he just assumed the rest of his life would be concerts, practices, hanging with friends, and short term relationships. At least he could say he was happy with his career if nothing else.
"Alright! What a night it's been, right?!" Hiccup called out to the cheering fans. "I know we've enjoyed it, performing for you gives us no greater pleasure. So for you all here tonight and those watching at home, we got something new for you. This song is for all the ladies who have ever been through a breakup and thought he was the one. This song is to let you know that there is someone out there for everyone! We hope you'll like it. This song is called: The One." Hiccup smiled, his eyes fell quickly on Astrid and smiled seeing her smiling again and cheering alongside Ruffnut.
"I'll be the one..." they all started together.
"I guess you were lost when I met you. Still there were tears in your eyes. So out of trust and I knew, no more than mysteries and lies." a slight pause now.
"There you were, wild and free. Reachin' out like you needed me. A helping hand to make it right. I am holding you all through the night," Hiccup, Toothless, and Zap sang as a group now. The fans were smiling wide, camera phones up, flashes going off. This was the perfect way to end the concert.
"I'll be the one." Hiccup sang.
"I'll be the one..." came Hookfang, Toothless, Zap, Stormfly, and Meatlug.
"Who will make all your sorrows undone," Hiccup smiled, his eyes falling on Astrid again but not making direct contact with her.
I'll be the light." Hiccup moved closer to the edge of the stage now.
"I'll be the light..." came softly from the others.
"When you feel like there's nowhere to run, I'll be the one." all of the band members sang in unison but then it jumped right back to Hiccup singing solo.
"To hold you and make sure that you'll be alright. 'Cause my faith is gone. And I want to take you from darkness to light..."
"There you were, wild and free. Reachin' out like you needed me. A helping hand to make it right. I am holding you all through the night," came Toothless, Zap, and Hiccup together again.
"I'll be the one(I'll be the one...). Who will make all your sorrows undone. I'll be the light(I'll be the light...). When you feel like there's nowhere to run, I'll be the one. To hold you and make sure that you'll be alright..." the music softened now as Hiccup crouched down in front of front row, mainly before Astrid and Ruffnut with a smile.
"You need me like I need you. We can share our dreams comin' true. I can show you what true love means," he reached both hands forward and let them touch his as they giggled and held the look of adoration in them, "Just take my hand, baby please!" he sang out as they cheered louder and he pulled back.
"I'll be the one. I'll be the light. Where you can run to make it alright. I'll be the one. I'll be the light. Where you can run," there was a pause as he smiled wide.
"I'll be the one(I'll be the one). Who will make all your sorrows undone. I'll be the light(I'll be the light). When you feel like there's nowhere to run, I'll be the one." Hiccup sang with Toothless and Zap as backup.
"I'll be the one. I'll be the light. Where you can run to make it alright. I'll be the one. I'll be the light. Where you can run to make it all right." they all sang together and then it slowed again.
"I'll be the one. To hold you. And make sure that you'll be alright...I'll be the one." the song ended slower the crowd went crazy with clapping and cheering. The band members put down their instruments and walked to the center alongside of Hiccup as they all linked arms around each other's shoulders and took a bow, panting slightly from the heat in the room. "Well that wraps it up guys and girls, thank you for an amazing night. We can't do these shows without all your love and support so we thank you for that." Hiccup announced with a smile. "We want everyone to have a good rest of the night and safe drive home. Goodnight, Berk!" more cheering as the members of the band began splitting off and heading backstage.
"Thank you for coming to Mead Hall arena. Would all concert goers please make their was safely and slowly out of the building. If you're a contest winner and hold a backstage pass, please make your way to stage right in fifteen minutes." came the Announcer's voice over the main speakers, the lights flipped back on as people were still raving about everything and leaving the arena exits which were stationed all around and on all levels in different sections.
"That was an amazing song, definitely one of my favorites now. I can't believe he got so close and let us touch his hands!" Ruffnut giggled happily like a elementary school girl who just woke up on Christmas morning.
"I know right and ya know-it made me feel a lot better about the breakup with Eret..." Astrid smiled as she looked back to the stage, "Just like he said it would," she added quietly to herself while remembering Dusk's words about releasing the song because he felt she needed to hear it and would help. It really did and she was going to thank him when they got to go backstage. They waited another fifteen minutes as the arena fell quieter when it cleared out, they moved to stage right to wait to be taken back. After another five minutes, Gobber emerged with a bright smile.
"Ello lads and lasses, ready to meet Dragon's Roar?" he asked as they nodded their head quickly and Gobber chuckled, "Just come this way with me. I'm Gobber Craigsen, DR's manager," he introduced as he motioned for them to follow him, they did so as they were soon walking up the stage stairs and then up onto stage-moving behind the curtain. "Well, here's where the magic happens. Sounds, lights, cameras, effects." Gobber began. As winners, they were able to get a small tour of the stage, behind the curtain, and then finally meet the band. The tour wasn't long but finally they were all standing before a door that read: Dragon's Roar Main. Gobber knocked on the door and waited a moment.
"Bring them in, Gobber," came a voice from behind, Gobber opened the door as he walked in and the small group following him. Once in, the door was shut as the band members stood up in line.
"Allow me to introduce: Fishlegs Ingerman, contest winner. Then his friends-" Gobber paused when Hiccup stepped forward a bit.
"Astrid, Ruffnut, Snotlout, and Tuffnut. Am I right?" Hiccup asked looking at Astrid, she nodded to him. "Pleased to meet you all, again. I'm sure you know who we are. I'm Dusk and this is my brother, Toothless. Then our friends: Stormfly, Hookfang, Meatlug, Zap, Hiss, and Sparky." he introduced motioning to each one.
"It's...amazing to get to meet you all in person," Ruffnut said trying to contain herself.
"The pleasure is all ours. We wouldn't be able to do the things we do without the support of our fans," Toothless smiled now.
"You guys are the best. I was hooked first time I heard the music on the radio," Astrid said now.
"Which song played?" Stormfly asked gently.
"I believe it was 'I'd Come For You'," Astrid replied smiling.
"That was one of our firsts, or was it the first?" Meatlug asked looking to Dusk now.
"It was the first, it was the one we all did together when we formed the band four years ago. And before you ask, yes it was one of mine that I wrote and we tried out to see how we'd do together," Dusk stated calmly.
"It's my ringtone on my phone," Astrid beamed.
"Really now?" Dusk smiled at her as she nodded. "Good to see that smile again. Looks better on you than the tears did," she blushed a bit, "Did the song help?"
"Yes, very much so. And I wanted to thank you for it, also...what you did for me before the second half. You're right, my ex is a jerk and I'm not gotta waste my tears on him," Astrid said now.
"Well now, I think we should get started on these pictures and autographs." Gobber suggested with a smile. For the next twenty minutes it was autographs and pictures. They did individual with each member of the band, then group pictures. After all that is was more questions but one of the rules was that they couldn't ask anything personal such as numbers, addresses, where they went to school. Band questions only like if they had new music coming out, next concert date, how long it takes them to make songs, etc. Before long it was about 10:45pm and the time was up. "Well, kids. Times up, been a long night for these guys. I'm sure they are ready to rest," Gobber said.
The group got up and shook hands with the band members, Ruffnut and Astrid got hugs too. Gobber led them out as Hiccup sighed heavily. "Are you...okay?" Toothless asked him.
"Yeah. Just got a lot of shit on my mind," Hiccup said as he got up, "I'll catch ya later," he added while heading for the door.
"Where are you going, we're getting on the bus in ten minutes." Stormfly said. "And what happened with Heather earlier?"
"I left her because she's clingy, obsessive, and lately-very annoying. Also...she tried to have sex with me in the dressing room earlier. I got fed up with it all so I broke up with her and now I'm gonna go for a walk to clear my head. I'm not taking the bus home, I'll get a taxi or something..." Hiccup grabbed his hoodie and zipped it up, he took off his wig then went to the bathroom and splashed his face to get the face paint off. He checked the mirror to ensure it was all off then returned in front of them. He stuffed his wig in his backpack along with some other things, checked his phone and slipped that in his pocket along with his wallet. "See ya tomorrow," he closed his eyes and headed out the door, down the hall and then to the rear entrance of the arena. It let out into an alleyway where most reporters and news crews waited but since he was just himself right now, they wouldn't bother him.
Hiccup could walk around as himself in Berk, it wouldn't matter if anyone saw him. He'd been gone so long people would hardly recognize him now, he wasn't worried about it. Hiccup walked about twenty minutes silently with his hands in his pockets towards the bar, a place he could relax for a while and think about things. Hiccup walked in and took a seat at the bar, he pulled his hood off and the bartender came over. "Got an ID there laddie? Lookin' a little young to be in here," he asked. Hiccup pulled out his wallet it and showed his license reading: Hiccup Haddock the Third. The man handed it back with a smile, "What will it be for ya tonight?"
"Soco and coke, please?" Hiccup asked, the bartender nodded and got the drink prepared for him.
"Here you go, made it a double because you look like you need to wind down after a long day." the bartender smiled.
"Thanks," Hiccup replied as he took a long drink from it. Hiccup was never a big drinker, in fact, he rarely did it at all. But being he was twenty two and tonight had been hell in a handbasket for him, he needed to take the stress off somehow and relax a little. Running into old high school classmates, then the break up with Heather. No, tonight was just shitty and he was glad he could end the night with a some alcohol. After sitting there fifteen minutes with his drink almost gone and another on the way, the door opened to the bar and a female walked in. Hiccup glanced over in his slight haze to see familiar blond hair and blue eyes, the set belonging to none other than Astrid Hofferson. He was considering the idea of just getting hammered, going home, and sleeping. First the concert, and now at the bar? Maybe she wouldn't recognize him.
"What are ya havin', little lady?" the bartender asked her calmly after checking her ID too, drinking age in the Archipelago was twenty.
"Martini, please." Astrid asked gently, the man nodded and began preparing it. Hiccup didn't care if she saw him, it's not like they'd been friends so what did it matter? Hiccup just sat there eyeing his drink, this was his second although the first had been a double. He still couldn't get over the fact Heather tried to have sex with him in the dressing room, the woman had zero decency or tact in her advances. Hiccup and her never even made love, it was just sex. Contrary to belief, there was actually a difference. Making love was the act of very slow, passionate, sex. Meant to last a while, enjoying the intimacy and building up to climax. Sex was just a quick fuck to get off several times, and that's all Heather ever wanted from him. That made it all the worse for him to know that she was basically used him to get whatever she wanted. Hiccup took another long sip of his drink and sighed a bit.
Astrid just sat there in deep thought as the bartender returned with her drink, "Thank you," she said softly as she sighed took a sip from it slowly with her eyes closed.
"You look as miserable as that fellow over there," the bartender stated calmly. Hiccup tensed a bit, why did he have to mention him?!
"Breakups suck," Astrid mumbled some.
"That they do, I'm married to my bar here. Always there to lean on, and never lets me down, makes good money too." the bartender laughed some-effectively making Astrid smile a bit.
"I'm the one who left him but-hurt to find out he'd been cheating for three months. Basically ruined my night at Mead Hall," Astrid sighed taking another sip of her drink.
"You were at the Dragon's Roar concert? How was it, well, aside the break up?" the man asked leaning on the bar now.
"Really good, the released a new song called The One. My friend had one radio tickets, we got to go backstage and meet them in person. Group pictures taken, I have one coming with each of them too. And I got this," Astrid pulled out a group photo of just the band with all the autographs on it. Under Dusk's name is said: Keep Smiling. He was the only one to write something for her because he knew about the break up.
"That's pretty cool. What's your story over there in the corner being all mysterious like?" the bartender asked looking over to Hiccup now, Astrid glanced too and saw the auburn hair.
"Breakups suck, just as the young lady stated." Hiccup responded.
"Were you cheated on too?" Astrid asked softly.
"Nope," Hiccup sighed some sitting back as he stretched some, his facing showing more in the lighting now as Astrid's eyes widened a bit.
"Hiccup?" she whispered in shock. Auburn hair and green eyes? She only knew one person who had that combination and she hadn't seen in four years.
"She used me for money and sex, incredibly clingy and obsessive." Hiccup stated.
"That does suck man. You empty over there? Want another?" the bartender asked.
"Yeah, maybe not soco and coke though. How about a Godfather?" Hiccup inquired.
"You got it, sounds like you need one. Strong though-you good?" the bartender asked him curiously.
"I'm fine. I'm not even tipsy yet, don't worry. I'm not driving, I'll call a cab or something." Hiccup offered a smile. The bartender nodded seeming satisfied with the reply as he went to get the drink. Astrid just kept looking at him, it couldn't be Hiccup, could it be? Most everyone on Berk had brown, black, blonde, or red hair. But only very few had auburn hair with green eyes, she knew about the scar but in the bar's dim lights she couldn't quite tell if it was there. "You can stop wondering if it's me and just ask you know," he now said glancing towards Astrid.
"What...are you talking about?" Astrid asked quickly sipping her drink and finishing it.
"You've been staring at me for five minutes. If I look like someone you know, you can just ask and I'll tell you." Hiccup stated to her now.
"Sorry...you just remind me of someone I used to go to school with-but he's been gone for like four years now." Astrid looked away some. Hiccup rolled his eyes.
"I've always been around, just staying on the down low, Astrid." Hiccup stated calmly as he finished the rest of his remaining soco and coke. "Yes, it's me, Hiccup Haddock." he added.
"Wow...you look so different, Hiccup. Taller for sure, less twig-figured." Astrid giggled a bit.
"Yeah, yeah. So I've been told by the few who knew I'm still here," Hiccup sighed a bit.
"Do you...mind if...I come sit with you?" she asked lightly.
"I don't mind," Hiccup replied to her as she got her wallet off the bar and moved over beside Hiccup, she sat down on the bar stool with her drink still in front of her. "Been awhile, hasn't it?" he asked.
"Since we've seen one another? Yeah, it has been. It's good to see you again, Hiccup. And thanks for letting me sit with you. I don't like coming here by myself but I wanted to get away for awhile," Astrid said to him.
"You should never come to the bar by yourself. Too many weirdos around who would hit on or try to take advantage of vulnerable young lady fresh off a break up like yourself," Hiccup remarked taking a sip of the new drink that the bartender brought over for him.
"Well, I'm not by myself anymore. I've got you and we aren't strangers," Astrid gave a small laugh.
"Heh, yeah. I suppose that's true. Nice to see a familiar face after so long. I'm glad to see you too, Astrid. So what now? Drink to forget our ex's and get reacquainted?" Hiccup asked her lifting his glass up as the bartender then brought Astrid a new martini, she took it by the stem of the glass raised it to his.
"Here's to forgetting ex's and getting reacquainted then," Astrid smiled as they clinked their glasses and both took a long drink. Well, what a night this was turning out to be. Both of them end up at the same place, for the same reason. Fresh off a break up and wanting to just get away for a while. How funny they met up at the bar of all places? Of course, the night was still young and there was likely to be a lot of talking between them. Let the reacquainting begin.