Hiccup could not have been happier to get to spend those few hours with Astrid, Toothless, Gobber, and his friends. The only reason he survived the remaining two days at Heather's was because of that short break he got away from her. The three hours at Gobber's were fun. No drinking, little bit of food and dessert-opening presents to one another. Hiccup got Astrid a charm bracelet, with two charms on it: one was something with her name on it, and the other was a charm with a little pink pair of booties to represent their daughter. Hiccup also got her a necklace with a small diamond in it-he said it was a place holder until he put the ring on her finger. Now granted, Hiccup already had the ring he was going to propose with but he wouldn't propose until Heather was out of their lives for good.

When the three hours were up, Hiccup returned to Heather's-he made sure to put on the act of slight relief but still worry. He used the diagnosis on the paper as the reason his father collapsed and passed out was due to stress and high blood pressure, he explained that he was allowed to go back home but had to rest-that Toothless would take care of him until Hiccup got back after the twenty seventh. Heather tried to act worried, saying she'd come over and help but Hiccup said he had it under control and she could come over when he was feeling better. The rest of Christmas night went smoothly, the next two nights weren't bad either-until the question got thrown around of when they might be getting married. That had been fun to find a way out of, Hiccup settled on saying that they were just enjoying their relationship together and would cross that bridge when they got there.

When the twenty seventh hit after Dagur, Signy, and Oswald were gone on their plane-Hiccup took Heather home, packed his things and told her that since he was there for five days, he wasn't coming over for an entire week-she didn't argue with him on it. When Hiccup got home mid-afternoon to Gobber's house, he pulled Astrid into his arms and kissed her deeply then greeted his family and friends. They spent that whole day celebrating that Hiccup was back home and free of the evil woman's clutches for a week-but after that then he'd have to start going back for two to three days per week. That night after practice was over, Hiccup and Astrid made love for two hours. Hiccup loved how it was between them to make love rather than just fuck, it never got old for them. Hiccup couldn't wait to propose to her and tell everyone the truth about things-as soon as Iris was born and Heather was gone, everyone would know the truth.

The new year had begun, 2017 and it promised to be an amazing one with the fact that Astrid was giving birth to Iris soon. The next big event for Dragon's Roar was the birthday party for those two girls that Hiccup met at Astrid's doctor's office a few weeks back, Eliza and Miya-the one he called in a favor for but of course the band was more than willing to play. Hiccup was good at getting gigs for them, because he looked just like Dusk minus the black hair-the others didn't hide themselves but also stayed out of public eye. That birthday party even was coming up in ten days, Astrid was going with them too. She would be going by the name Dawn Winters, wearing contacts to make her eyes green-so now they appeared a green-blue color, also she'd be wearing a black wig with silver and red streaks in it. The disguise was perfect and she'd be safe backstage to watch the show beside Gobber just like Heather used to.

"Do you really have to go there tonight?" Astrid asked him softly as he was packing his overnight bag to go to Heather's in fifteen minutes. It was the agreement-he had to come over after practice was over at least two nights a week, then spend the day with her until practice the next night. Normally, they'd watch a movie when he got there, then the next day would be a date or something involving them together, then Hiccup would leave around 5:45pm to get back to Gobber's in order to eat then go through with practice.

"You know I do, babe. I don't like it anymore than you do but until I can find another way out of it that doesn't endanger you...it's all I got to protect you and Iris..." Hiccup said softly.

"I know...it's just...this has been going on since November, Hiccup..." Astrid sighed some.

"I know...but there's no other choice right now, I won't...put you and Iris in danger of the celebrity lifestyle...I can't risk either of you-I don't know what I would do, Astrid...it'll be over soon, I promise...We'll find a way to get rid of her. For now, take comfort in knowing who I always come back too, hold in my arms, share a bed, and sleep with. You, milady. It will always be you-she doesn't have my heart, you do," Hiccup lifted her chin up and kissed her deeply.

"I love you so much," Astrid said after they broke it.

"I love you too, Astrid. I gotta go for now, my phone is on and if you or Iris needs me, don't hesitate to call," Hiccup reminded, she nodded and Hiccup left the house-driving off towards Heather's. It was almost 10pm at night, since practice ended at 9:30. They'd likely watch a movie until 11:30pm before Hiccup slept on the couch-he refused to stay in her room with her.

(Heather's)

"Hi baby!" she greeted happily hugging him.

"Hey," Hiccup hugged her back, the a small kiss between them as they went inside and he shut the door.

"How was practice?" Heather inquired as Hiccup put his bag down by the side of the couch, then took his coat off and hung it on the rack.

"Long, preparing for the new CD release in two weeks," Hiccup replied-not really giving more than that.

"That's good. Are we still watching a movie?" Heather asked softly.

"Don't we always, I'm gonna go change. Pick something, I'll be right out..." Hiccup sighed grabbing a long sleeve and his sweatpants from his bag-then going to the bathroom down the hall, locking it to change. Heather huffed a bit as she went over to the shelf to pick something for them to watch-she had tons of choices but she knew they were nothing that Hiccup liked watching. He was an action/comedy guy, she knew that much about him. Heather went for the newer things she picked up to find something they could watch: she found Mr. & Mrs Smith, that was comedic and funny-she hadn't watched it either. She got the DVD player on and put the movie in as the previews went through for about seven minutes and then the title screen came on as she plopped on the couch to wait for him.

Bored waiting for him, her eyes fell on his coat-a slight grin gracing her lips as she got up to check for his phone. No such luck, of course he had it with him and was likely texting Astrid-that was probably why he was taking so long in the bathroom. Heather's hand slipped down the front of the coat in defeat but then she felt something in the inner pocket, she glanced at the bathroom door first before unzipping the pocket and reaching inside to find a small red, heart shaped box. Heather opened it to see a single princess cut diamond on an accent, four prong setting. It was beautiful and sadly, Heather knew who it was for. Astrid. So Hiccup planned to propose to her, likely before the baby was born too. Heather mumbled something about wishing Astrid was out of the picture-then she got an idea. A devious idea to make that happen.

Hearing the toilet flush, Heather quickly closed the box and put it back the way it was in his coat. She sat back down on the couch with the remote in her hand when he came out of the bathroom and sat down. "Mr. & Mrs. Smith, eh? Heard it was supposed to be good," he stated after seeing the movie she picked.

"I know you like comedy and action, picked this up last week," Heather replied with a smile as she hit play and relaxed some. Hiccup sat back, slightly leaning on the opposite side from her. "Are you hungry, or thirsty?" she asked.

"I'm fine, thank you," Hiccup replied calmly as his eyes stayed on the screen. For the next hour or so, it was silent. At a few points-Heather scooched closer and linked her hand to his, then leaned on his shoulder. He didn't fight it, when he was Dusk-he was supposed to act like her boyfriend. As long as she didn't try to make out, or have sex with him then she wasn't breaking their agreement. Ground rules had been established when it began right before Thanksgiving. While watching the movie, Heather was just plotting her plan to get Hiccup to be all hers with Astrid and the baby out of the way.

(Two Weeks Later)

Hiccup was just getting ready to go to the new CD release, of course he had to go with Heather because it was a band thing and he was Dusk. He was already dressed with face paint and wig on, the rest of the bad was ready too-Heather had to meet them there since she wasn't allowed at Gobber's place. The band was heading in the bus in ten minutes as Hiccup sighed, another event he would rather have Astrid by his side. It worked out though, Astrid wasn't feeling well today and was really tired so Hiccup was having her rest and if she needed anything to text him. It didn't matter what was going on-he would rush to her if she needed something.

"Lad!" Gobber announced as he and the others were preparing to get on the bus, Hiccup faced him now.

"Yeah, Dad?" Hiccup asked curiously.

"I just...got off the phone with the lawyer about your situation with Heather. Lawyer said that blackmail itself is illegal, you can get out of this anytime you want," Gobber panted. Hiccup's eyes widened, both in shock and joy. He could leave her and she'd still get in trouble!

"That's...amazing! I'm leaving her today then," Hiccup stated with a wide smile.

"Woah, hold on there...you're not gonna wanna do that. Big crowd, lot of reporters and news crews...it's a process, you have to go through the proper channels. You say she threatened to tell the paparazzi if you didn't agree to her terms, first thing you have to do is go to the police and file it-they'll confront and arrest her. Don't try to leave her before the arrest, because she'll break contract and tell everyone-you don't want to back her into a corner while in public. Let the police handle it, once she's arrested-a no contact order will be issued until court. If all goes well, you can be out of this in a few weeks," Gobber told him.

"So put up with her for a few more weeks to have her out of my life forever, it'll be so worth the wait. Does Astrid know?" Hiccup asked.

"Nope, came to tell you right away," Gobber said.

"Good, don't tell her. I'm gonna make it a surprise," Hiccup chuckled as he showed Gobber the ring box with a wink.

"Got ya, lad." Gobber nodded, "Now it's time to head for the bus. Long day ahead of us," he added. That said, they all got on the bus-celebrating the news that Hiccup would be free of Heather soon.

(CD Release&Signing Location)

It was being held at the mall, boxes of CD's had been shipped there for this day. Normally how it went would be that the customers would buy their CD, then move to the table to get it signed by the band and also get their chance to have a picture taken with one of those old Polaroid cameras. Some came just to get something else signed and see them-either way, it was an all day event from 10am to 6pm, one hour lunch on the bus around 12:30-1ish. After that, normal would resume. Hiccup was sure people had been waiting since long before the mall even opened to get in line for this. Security was on it, keeping people in line and made sure there would be a path for the band to walk-Heather was sure to be linked to his arm while they walking inside and she would be beside him during signings but generally out of the way for pictures. Occasionally fans would ask for her autograph-being the girlfriend of a celebrity had it's perks, one of the reasons she loved the spotlight so much.

As soon as this was over, he was going to the police to file the blackmail threat-then the lawyer would likely handle the rest for him until court time. Finally it would be over and he could propose to Astrid, they'd have their baby, get married and be happy with their family. He couldn't wait.

"Alright, ya know the drill. Stay together, smiles, wave and keep it going towards where we are set up. Gonna be a long, crazy day!" Gobber announced.

"We know, Gob. Ain't the first time we've done this," Hookfang chuckled as the others nodded affirmatively. The screaming fans were already being heard, the side door opened as Heather was escorted on by a security team member-of course she had her access passes, they were supposed to get seen together so once again, he had to deal with it.

"Hi baby!" Heather beamed immediately hugging him tightly.

"Uh huh, hi." Hiccup inwardly groaned some.

"Lose the tude, will you? It's like you hate me or something," Heather smiled.

"I do. I don't have to start acting like I give a damn until we're off this bus." Hiccup retorted coldly.

"Oh, and that will just kill you, won't it?" Heather gave a fake pout.

"I'm already dead when I'm around you," Hiccup grinned as his friends started chuckling.

"Better watch it, Hiccup. Don't want your secret love affair with Astrid that produced a child with her getting you, do you?" Heather warned.

"You're such a bitch-why can't you just leave him alone?!" Toothless scoffed. "You don't even love him,"

"Because I'm a girl who gets everything she wants, and I want him," Heather said proudly.

"It's okay guys, really...I don't mind in the slightest. It doesn't even matter," he reminded them, as they just nodded. "Well, let's get out there and get this over with." he added. The doors opened as the others filed off, Hiccup and Heather last with her on his arm-both smiling wide. It was incredibly chaotic and loud, security was keeping everyone back the best they could as Dragon's Roar moved down the path and inside to their area-a long black table with markers on it, a small station to purchase things if they weren't getting CD's and then fans would get in line to get it signed or get a picture. There was a spot for pictures too, a few camera people, a backdrop looking like the stage set up. Here started a long day.

(Lunch Hour)

They reached the bus after getting their food, they'd sent assistants to get it for them and then they received it on the bus to eat. Heather was with them of course, keeping up the act of Dusk and Heather having a perfect celebrity relationship. If only people knew the truth.

"Man, that was brutal...I still see spots from camera flashes," Meatlug giggled.

"The CD releases are always brutal, and to think we might not of had it done on time if it weren't for Dawn helping out," Hiccup chuckled some.

"Her lyrics are amazing, she gave us like six of the ones on the CD, we barely made the quota of eighteen songs." Zap reminded.

"Oh, I know. She fits right in with us," Toothless smiled eating on of his fries. Heather huffed some looking out the window. "You know what I think we should do?" he asked now.

"What's up?" Stormfly asked.

"We got all our gear, why don't we play one of the songs off the CD?" Toothless suggested.

"That's not a bad idea, son. I'll have the crew set it up by the table, we can do it right before the signings start again," Gobber nodded as he headed off the bus with his sandwich.

"Question is, which one are we gonna do?" Hookfang looked at them all now.

"What about 'They Don't Know About Us'. The one you made for Astrid?" Sparky offered.

"Really, I'm sitting right here-do you have to mention her?" Heather remarked.

"I'm sorry, who are you again?" Hiss snickered as he and his brother highfived with smiled.

"Very funny. You know who I am," Heather stated.

"Yeah, we do. Annoying and desperate," Zap chuckled as Hookfang, Toothless, and even Hiccup started laughing. Heather fumed with embarrassment as she turned her head from them.

"That's just how it is, Heather. That's how you portrayed yourself with what you're doing to Dusk," Hookfang shrugged.

"We'll see who has the last laugh," she mumbled quietly. The rest of lunch went smoothly, her ignoring them while they planned what to do for the small show they were going to put on. Heather pulled something out of her pocket and grinned seeing it in her palm-a black ring box and inside was a heart cut diamond set in a simple gold band. It was a fake ring that looked real to pass as an expensive engagement ring, she bought it for her plan-which she was putting into plan right after the signing was over at 6pm. It was going to be perfect.

(Later That Night)

The signing was finally over! Hiccup couldn't wait to get home and plan the perfect proposal for Astrid, just a few weeks more until Heather was gone and he could ask Astrid to marry him. The security team was in position to give them a path to get on the bus, Heather would be going on the bus with them-they'd unfortunately drop her off at home before they returned to Gobber's place to celebrate the successful day. Heather was keeping her ring in her hand but her long sleeves hid it from sight until she was ready.

"Alright lads and lasses, good day. One last walk through the madness and then ya can go home," Gobber reminded.

"Aye sir," they saluted with a smile. Heather had her arm around Hiccup's arm while they walked outside to the flashes of camera, news crews trying to get a few words, reporters asking questions. Security was having a hard time keeping them back but managing regardless. Halfway down the small path, Heather dropped her hand to Hiccup's to linked their fingers: part of her plan. Hiccup felt something soft in his hand and let it drop to the ground, he stopped only a moment to kneel down and pick it up-he obviously wanted to know what it was as Heather took her chance when he opened it to see the ring. Hiccup was confused as ever when the area become quiet, the fangirls gasping and saying 'Oh my Gods!' or something else along the lines of shock.

"Oh, Dusk...is this...really happening?" he heard Heather say. It was then he realized what position he was in: on one knee, holding a ring box, with a ring inside that was facing her. Oh Gods! Everyone thought he was proposing to her! Fuck. How did he get out of this! The cameras were rolling-if he backed out of it now...there would be an uproar of disappointment and questions. Hiccup realized what Heather had done, she put the box in his hand and set the whole thing up. He...didn't have another choice right now, he honestly didn't. As soon as they were out of earshot, Heather was getting a mouthful from him about her stunt. Hiccup saw the wide smiles around him, Heather's tear-filled eyes. He was going to hate every bit of this.

Hiccup put on a gentle smile as he carefully took her hand in his, the area falling quieter now so it could be heard. "Heather...we've been together three years now and I have to be honest...I'm sick of dating. I love you with all my heart and soul, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me and make me the happiest man alive?" Hiccup asked her.

"Yes! Oh my Gods, Yes! I will absolutely marry you, Dusk!" Heather squealed with delight, allowing the fake tears to fall from her eyes. Hiccup got off his knee now and removed the ring from the box, he slid it on her finger as she wrapped her arms around his neck smiling wide. Hiccup wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her deeply. The crowd burst into applause and cheering for the two.

(Gobber's Place)

Astrid had just gotten up from a nap, she'd gotten herself a snack-then sat down in the living room while checking the time on the cable box: 6:30pm. That meant Hiccup would be home soon! Astrid turned on the TV, maybe she could catch him walking out of the mall before they got on the bus to return home. Astrid flipped through the channels as she stopped on Berk Eye-the main station for Berk news.

"Well, Berkians! It's official, the hottest couple on the market are engaged to be married! You heard me, folks! Right here at our own Berk Isle Mall, an unbelievable and unexpected proposal took place between two long time lovers close to our hearts! Here the romantic scene is once more!" the reporter announced happily. Astrid shrugged at first, then she saw the camera zoom in on Dusk being on one knee and...proposing to Heather with a such a loving smile on his face. Astrid's eyes widened at the sight, she heard everything said-watched the two on screen lock lips in a deep kiss, and then they disappeared onto the bus. Astrid only felt the tears streaming down her cheeks at what she saw, he'd...proposed to Heather? Astrid didn't know how to feel but she knew what she felt in her chest: her heart breaking into pieces.