Chapter 7 - The Secret We Keep
Authors note : loving the reviews and so glad everyone is enjoying this little story! On with the show - secrets always come out eventually...
He couldn't take his eyes off her, what was she doing here? He didn't understand but he couldn't think straight. She was in his back garden while everyone they were keeping their relationship from were here too. How can she be here? He didn't have a text or call? Was it unplanned? But then that didn't explain why Snotlout was behind her, and her roommate.
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! It all made sense now and he was kicking himself for not thinking of it before. Snotlout was seeing his girlfriends roommate. Fan-fucking-tastic!
How did he miss this? And now he felt like a right idiot for not messaging her about him hosting a bonfire in the first place. He hadn't thought, stupid boy excuse is what she'll take it as. But if he was being honest he felt pretty stupid.
" oh Hiccup!" And now his mother had found him. He turned away from her, his mother literally dragging his attention back to her and now he had to think of a plan to keep his mother away from his girlfriend.
" you won't believe who I've just seen, Heather!" Her eyes lite up. Oh brilliant! Just want he needs! She promised him.
" I haven't seen her in ages you know! She really is beautiful don't you think" that was all the information he needed, his mother was trying to get him and Heather together, just what he need.
" yeah she's great! But mom, you promised" her eyes faltered a little, enough to make him feel slightly guilty, but if she knew the truth, she'd understand.
" I know son, I'm just looking out for you" his mother was overbearing, really sensitive but overall, she was caring. And Hiccup had no doubt that his mother didn't care for him, him and his mother were close. He didn't want to lose that bond her had with her.
" I know, look mom can we talk about this later I have to check on something okay" her smile reflected his own, rubbing his shoulders and nodding. With a small kiss on her forehead he left her by the fire.
When looking to see where she was, she was now no where to be found, and neither was his cousin. They could be anywhere, that was until he remembers what Snotlout asked on the phone before, two jobs for two girls, being drink servers.
He had to check on his girlfriend, and make sure there Secret stayed a secret.
Xx
Snotlout dragged the two down to Hiccups wine cellar, handing them some clothes to change in. While Ruffnut admired the glorious wine cellar, Astrid avoided every member of staff she knew by name. She'd been down here before, she could name the places she'd stripped Hiccup down in here, which made it worse when Ruffnut was walking around it like nothing happened. She hides her face much she can, if anyone notices her it wouldn't be long before Ruff would know her secret.
The people scurrying around were making her nerves spike, all she had to do was keep her head down. "Come on, Snotlout said our boss is gonna give us our jobs." Ruff sounded excited, of course she was, she was working in the house if her sexual fantasy and she was sleeping with his cousin too. Astrid however was having heart palpitations just thinking of meeting the 'boss'. Who was gonna be their boss, Hiccup?
As they went up stairs to the kitchen she noticed someone she definitely knew she had to avoid, Luna.
" alright ladies and gentleman, I want this clean and tidy, no messes, no exceptions otherwise no bonus! Keep glasses full, and the guest happy alright!" Astrid hides behind Ruffnut the whole time, avoiding to look up at all cost. Luna was even scarier when she was barking orders, the trays of glasses were laid out for the taking, and trying to avoid the scary women who could blow everything up. So she raced past them all, grabbing a tray and heading out the door, Ruff dashes after her with her own try, trying not to spill anything.
" woah! Speedy slow down!" She had to keep her cool, if Ruffnut noticed something it would make this harder.
" sorry, I just wanted to get this bonus you know" Ruff wouldn't know if that was the truth or a lie, but she bought it for now.
It was risky she knew that, literally serving the people Hiccup was hiding his girlfriend from, and her best friend right beside her. She knew she should have left the minute she saw it was Hiccups place, but then that could have sparked interest in Ruff. So she did what she was told, kept glasses full and guests happy, hoping to avoid Hiccup at all costs.
That said when serving glasses of champagne to men and women she all knew were from West town, she came across someone she hoped to meet in a different circumstance - Stoick Haddock.
Taking the drink from her tray, giving her a genuinely nice smile before walking away like they were strangers. And technically to him she was, but to her, she was in love with his son, he was her boyfriends farther and he didn't give her a second thought.
That feeling hit harder than she thought.
Xx
He couldn't find her through the crowds of people in his garden, his house, his hallway, living room, kitchen. He hated parties for this exact reason. Wandering around hopelessly, looking at everyone who had blonde hair. It was like a needle in a hay stack.
He check the den, picking up leftover glasses on his way, he saw Snot kissing what looked like Ruffnut, she obviously was gonna be on Luna's hit list if she got caught. He walked out the den, ignoring the drunk people in his house, only to crash into Luna herself. " ahh Luna!" He was actually happy he found her, if anyone would know where Astrid would be Luna is his best bet.
However before he got a word in, she was taking the glasses out of his hands and passing them to a girl near by. " err right, Luna ?" He got her attention again.
" yes Mr Haddock!" She looked as stressed as he was, eyes darting everywhere even though she focused on him.
" have you seen Astrid?" Her eyes lite up for a second.
" no why? Is she here?" His heart dropped for that moment, thinking for once he could find her straight away. But if Luna hadn't seen her that means she was keeping her head down.
" think so, you think if you could keep an eye out for me, let me know if you see her, and just watch out for her, this isn't exactly her scene. It isn't mine to be honest!" He gave a pathetic excuse of a sigh, he should have said no to this. He never got on with people from West town, they tried to be something they were not, and the fact he was a Haddock made his a beacon for anyone who wanted a free meal ticket. Doors opened for anyone who had the Haddock name that is. It was like a Berserker on Berserker island, that's why he got on with Heather and her brother Dagur.
" course I can Hiccup," she mainly called him 'Mr Haddock' even though he insisted she call him 'Hiccup'. But on occasion she would call him by his name, when she was acting out of friendship. " why don't you scout outside and I'll keep an eye out inside" he was truly thankful at this moment.
" Luna I could kiss you" he wasn't serious but she was amazing.
" well your girlfriend wouldn't be too happy, go on you silly goose" she giggle, tapping his arm slightly, Luna was like a mother figure in his life, and since her and his mother got on so well, it was like double the trouble for him.
" thank you"
And so he tried outside, but as the bonfire of bigger and the night got longer, his garden got more fuller, as guests were still pouring in.
Xx
" Val!"
Heather had know Valka since - we'll forever. Berserker Island and Berk have been allies since the Vikings and that friendship lasted to today. Oswald and Stoick were good friends from childhood so of course when they had children, Dagur, Heather and Hiccup were raised like siblings. Heather doesn't know her mother, she was terminally ill after she was born so when she died Heather was only 1 and doesn't remember anything.
Valka became the next best thing, talked to her about girl stuff, boys, even sex when the time came, Oswald was glad his little girl had Valka, it gave him piece of mind.
" Heather hunny! I saw you before but didn't have chance to say hi" the two embraced each other with a hug by the fire, Stoick was toasting about 5 marshmallows on one stick.
" how's your farther Raven?" Stoick called her that since she was little, her raven black hair was one of her main features.
" yeah good, working with the hotel business of course, always working!" She giggled, Stoick and her farther were workaholics, always working.
" oh enough about work, how are you sweetie?" Valka has tried to get through to Hiccup, but if he wasn't gonna admit about him and Heather, she was gonna get it out of her.
" doing good, been spending a lot of time in Berk recently, thinking of moving here, not sure yet, dad might not approve." The thing was, now her and Eret were fully officially she'd been spending weeks at his here in Berk, however she was a daddy's girl and her farther was missing her. However Oswald approved of her and Eret which made her feel a little better, but then telling her farther about moving here might change his mind.
" oh really? Why would that be? Is it maybe a boy?" Valka on the other hand was putting 2 and 2 together and getting 5. Thinking that Heather and her son were beginning a relationship.
Immediately Heathers face began to blush, making Valka more convinced. " yes actually, I wouldn't be saying anything only we've finally made it official and started telling people about us!" She was excited but Valka looked more so, Heather just put it down to her being happy for her.
" oh that's wonderful, really is!" Val was now waiting for her to say it, officially, so she can finally get her boy to stop being shy and finally admit it.
" well actually-" she gave a pause, looking over her window, this was it! Valka thought, this was it.
" Eret!" Eret?!
The boy came over, the boy she knew now for 7 years, he was Hiccups friend, she used to let them bunk over together when in their University years. She'd done his washing, give him hangover cursed, and he was the boy that Heather was now seeing.
" oh hi Mrs H! Heather told you ey?" His arm swung over her shoulder so casually, she'd got it so wrong! But she saw the signs, the phone call? The underwear? If not Heather then who?
" yes, I just" from being so excited finally thinking she had caught out her son, she suddenly felt deflated. " for a second I thought you and Hiccup -" the statement sounded bizarre to the couple in front of her.
" me and Hiccup? No we are like brother and sister. Why would you think that?" The two looked confused, how could she get it all wrong. She was so sure!
" I was so sure, that Hiccup was seeing someone, I saw the signs, I -" she was gonna continue but was interrupted by Eret.
" that's cause he is -" he stopped himself, if Hiccup didn't want his mother to know then why was he spilling his best friends secrets now?
" he is?" Valka had a new sense of happiness rush through her.
" he is?" Heather was considering whether to be confused or upset her best friend was keeping something from her.
" he is?" Stoick was stuffing his face with his roasted marshmallow.
" well - err" He really put his foot in it now. " look I don't know who she is, all I know is there is a she" the minute those words left his mouth he regretted it, cause both Valka and Heather were now on a mission.
" and he thinks he can keep this from us?" Heather turned to Valka who of course was agreeing with her. " Val you and Stoick look for Hiccup out here, me and Eret will go inside okay?" Val agreed straight away, Stoick and Eret didn't really have much choice as both women had made the decision for them. Valka dragging her husband through the gardens and Heather dragged her man back to the house. All on a mission.
Find Hiccup Haddock.
Xx
Never in her life had she ever opened a bottle of champagne, popping a cork wasn't really a thing you get taught on the streets and as a student any alcohol is give in a can. Her mind went back to the look in Hiccups fathers eyes, he didn't have a clue who she was. Why would he? It was her idea to keep their relationship a secret, from everyone which then included Hiccup's family! He hated secrets she knew that, and yet her selfishness wanted to still keep it hidden.
She hadn't noticed now but her cheeks were covered by tears and they came gushing down her face.
He had parents he loved, parents he wanted to share their relationship with. Just like she wanted to, she wanted to tell her parents she was in love, but she couldn't! Her parents were dead!
Maybe that's why she didn't want his parents knowing, cause her parents couldn't, was that why she was being selfish, cause life was unfair for her?
A hand came on her shoulder, snapping her out of her own thoughts, while also causing her to pop the champagne, causing the fright of not only herself but her friend who was beside her.
" hey?" She put the bottle down, looking at Ruff.
" hey" she couldn't hide her tears, they were out on display, she tried her best to rub them away, but the puffiness was still there.
" let me" Ruffnut took the bottle, pouring the glasses that were fresh on the tray. " I was with Snotlout when I saw you come in, you looked distressed, and I think we know why" with all the glasses filled, Ruff places the large bottle down, rubbing her best friends arms.
" it's cause of your parents"
Truth was - it was all of it, her parents, her secret, her lie! It was eating her up now and she could tell, she didn't have family and the only friend she had, she was lying to. And maybe it might be so simple as to come out with the truth, but then if normal people got wind, how long would it take before her face was in a magazine? Before her past was in a magazine? Hiccup Haddock dating a once homeless girl, was that what the covers were gonna say? Or maybe her old foster parents could get dragged into it, what then?
So all she could do was nod, and keep up with the fact that today was the 7 year anniversary of their death.
" go home, I'll tell Snot, I'm sure he can convince his cousin to pay you something" she nearly laughed, she didn't want money, but then she didn't want to leave, she need to talk to Hiccup, had to stop avoiding him and face up to the facts. She wanted to tell people about them, maybe small amounts of people for now, but it was a risk, a risk willing to take if she had this guilt removed from her shoulders.
So no, she wasn't leaving. It wasn't that simple.
" no I'm fine, I should go serve these" she picked up the try not saying another word, she couldn't hang round the kitchen much more anyway, if Luna or another member of staff like Terri saw her that would ruin it. She hurried out the kitchen into the main hall that connected the living room, main entrance and bifold doors out of the house together. Ruffnut's footsteps could be heard from behind. She only turned around for a second, she only wanted to tell her friend she didn't want to talk.
That was for that exact second, Heather and Eret were coming into the house through the open bifold doors, their eyes on each other with their plan to scout out Hiccup. And for that exact second it took for all three to not look, was all the time that was needed to create a disaster.
Xx
He couldn't find her, she wasn't in the house, or the garden? Did she go home? No! He checked his phone again, she didn't go home, she would have text just to give him peace of mind, so she had to be here.
The bonfire was already dying out, and he told one of his staff not to put anymore wood on the fire as this party would be ending soon. He knew Luna said stick to the Garden but he couldn't find her out here, and if anything Astrid would know how to hide in the house, she knew it like the back of her hand now, and he was for sure that's where she will be. So he decided to head back.
That was till his parents got in his way.
" mom? Dad? Not now I'm busy" he spoke not like a son, but like a business man, he didn't need his parents getting in the way with more questions.
" enough Hiccup me and your mother need a word" his farther never spoke like that unless it was business, which only concerned him more. Was there another reason why they were here? Was one of them sick?
" we know about the girl Hiccup!" Valka said knocking his question about them being sick out of his mind with a baseball bat.
" what girl?" They couldn't have know about Astrid? He was sure, well 80% sure anyway.
" we though it was Heather," his mother went on, but the moment she mentioned Heather it all made sense, why she was going on about her so much, she thought him and Heather were a thing.
" me and Heather? No she's with Eret" and the thought was sickening, he loved Heather truly, but she was like a sister to him and he could never be with her like that.
" yes we know! So now we ask who's this girl you've been seeing, and don't deny it, I saw the red lace underwear" shit! He remembers that from earlier, when going up to change Luna left his pile of washing up in his bed. Stuff like jeans, trousers, shirts and tops she hung up for him, put personal stuff like underwear and pyjama stuff he put away. Astrid had left a few pairs of underwear here for future times. And he knew exactly what red lace underwear his mother had seen.
His heart was pounding, he had to talk to Astrid, he couldn't keep this a secret anymore.
He was about to say something, what? He didn't know. All he knew was the moment he opened his mouth, something from the house made a loud crash, and screams, which ultimately saved him.
Or gave him some time.
Xx
" you stupid girl! Don't you watch where you are going?"
The tray of freshly poured glasses went completely over Heather, the tray fully slipping out of Astrid hands. At that point there was no turning back. Heather was covered head to toe, Eret was completely bewildered, Ruffnut was shocked at the scene in front of her and Astrid had a piece of glass jammed into her right hand, causing the bloody to ooze out onto the hallway tile.
" I am so sorry" she was absolutely mortified, she didn't even noticed the glass in her hand, all she thought was how the hell she was gonna get out of this one? The once elegant lady was now covered in champagne, the sweet smell literally coming off her.
" this is Chanel! " she pointed to her coat, emphasising the fact that this woman was rich and probably can make her life hell. " and now it won't come out" the man next to her immediately took off his own jacket, telling her to take off hers so she wouldn't get to cold in the November breeze.
While the two were dealing with the Chanel coat situation, Astrid had to deal with the fact that five glasses had smashed all over Hiccup's floor and there was a pool of blood forming from the fact her hand still had glass in it. Getting on her hands and knees she used the tray to pick up all the glass with her good hand.
Ruffnut has not yet noticed her friend bleeding out, but noticed she might need help cleaning up. But as she went to walk over to help, Snot came running from the other room, claiming he heard a crash and wanted to know what went on. While she explained that to his, Astrid was still picking up the glass.
By that point Heather was drying off now with the help of Eret and Astrid had nearly cleaned up the last of the glass. However Luna turned up, wanting more than blood for whoever made a mess. And of course her an initial instinct was to yell at Ruffnut, cause she was the one who was wearing a server outfit and wasn't Miss Astrid.
" you girl! I said no messes, and this is what you do, pour our finest champagne over one of our well know guests, that's coming out of your pay check I can assure you child!" While the finger was technically being pointed at Ruffnut, Snotlout tried to get through to Luna, however it was Heather who finally had her say.
" Luna it was not that girl, it was that girl" she pointed to Astrid who was still on the floor, she couldn't bring words to her mouth before everyone else started to talk over her.
" but it can't have been?" Luna knew why it couldn't have been, for why would Miss Astrid be serving champagne, that was she had been avoiding Luna all night. No words came to her mouth and so yet another person spoke over her.
" but it was! Tell her Eret!" This was bad, this was very bad, her hand was throbbing and the blood was growing on the floor, she couldn't think straight to get a word in anywhere.
" Luna she is right, it was her" the man was sympathetic towards her but that still didn't help her case, for even when Hiccup was arriving with both his parents in tow, nothing could have stopped what happened next.
" but it can't have been! That's Miss Astrid, she's Hiccup's lady friend" and with that it was in the open. Hiccup's parents, his best friend from Uni, his best friend from birth, his cousin and her best friend now knew, and she didn't have the strength to care.
" what!" Eret, Heather, his parents! Snotlout and even Ruffnut all spoke at once, disbelief was beyond the word they'd use now. Confusion filled them all, with the simple word of 'lady friend'.
The thing what she found funny in all this is Luna still stuck to her own habits, thinking 'girlfriend' was to young of a phrase, and that Astrid was a lady, and so 'lady friend' was invented.
" was I not supposed to say?" She was now mortified, but was not to blame for both Hiccup and Astrid never really mentioned to Luna they were keeping it from their family and friends.
" so it's true?" Ruffnut was more hurt than confused, all of it was just unreal, and until the words came out of her friends mouth, she couldn't believe it till then.
" Astrid your hand!" But that's all the proof they all needed, when Hiccup knew her name for starters, and carful got to the ground to stop the bleeding.
" I'd say that's true" Eret's comment kinda confirmed it all round, Hiccup Haddock has been seeing someone and at this point she was literally bleeding all over his floor. " look guys I'm sure you have questions cause I do" his best friend kept talking, " but I need to look at that hand, so -" he looked to Hiccup now.
Eret was right, he was a doctor and he needed to look at her hand, he could only do better than he would anyway, and right now would be a perfect excuse to end this party.
" Luna could you gather everyone and try to escort everyone out of this house that isn't stood here now?" The others were still in some sort of limbo, not knowing how to process. While Luna nodded getting her head back in the game.
" party's over"
Xx
She was a Hofferson and something so small as glass in her hand shouldn't be this painful. All her life with all the shit she'd been through she'd got through it hard as a rock, but this glass in her hand had been throbbing for about 10 minutes. It might have been for the blood loss, or for the fact they had five people in the other room waiting for a explanation, but she felt dizzy.
And she had a complete stranger dabbing her hand to clean the blood while her boyfriend paced behind her.
They were sat at Hiccup's kitchen island, that way Eret could lay out all the things he needed to attend her hand.
" ow! Son of a bitch!" He touched the glass slightly causing it to move in her hand.
" it's in deep, you're gonna need stitches" fucking fantastic! Hiccup came up behind her, grabbing her free hand with his. " alright, I'm gonna pull it out now so you might wanna hold tight to scarecrow behind you"
She didn't know what he meant when he called Hiccup 'scarecrow', was it that he was skinny like a scarecrow? Or the fact that he looked more scared and Astrid did?
" what makes you think I need a hand to hold -" he didn't know Astrid Hofferson, she didn't need no help. That was said, she spoke to soon. " Fuck! Fucking hell!" He pulled the glass out without no notice, revealing a deep hole in her hand. She squeezed Hiccup with the other, as he rubbed her shoulder from behind her.
" cause glass hurts like a fucking bastard" he placed it down on a clean sheet, earning a smile of his blonde patient. She actually liked him, Hiccup had a good friend indeed.
" I'll put some stitches in, but first-" he grabbed the bottle of southern whiskey in his hand, and without notice again! Poured it over her hand, making it burn like hell.
" Holy- emmm - Fuck, Fuck, Fuck! Why did you do that!" Her hand was shaking with the sting rising through her arm.
" stops infection" he shrugged, taking the bottle and handing it to her. She excepted it happily, taking a swig for herself, the strong liquid dragged itself down her throat, she'd never tasted anything like it. It was disgusting.
Eret laughed as she coughed it down. "yep it's strong, can knock a grown man out cold that stuff" but as he was stitching her hand, the southern whiskey was helping with the pain.
" you're a tough cookie you, can tell why Hiccup likes you so much" he looked up to Hiccup giving his friend a smile before returning to the stitches. They thought made her smile, was that his way of saying he approves Hiccup's choice in girl.
" thank you" it was a sort of thank you that implied for not only the comment but for the hand stitches too.
" I'm Eret by the way, not that Hiccup might have mentioned me, who knows? He's got a thing now for keeping secrets" he smirked as he tied the ends off of his stitches. Guess she would have to get used to the digs about their decision on a secret relationship.
" I know, he told me about you" she smiled at him as he gave her back her hand, he seemed to be intrigued by her comment as he looked up towards Hiccup. He gave him a nod, reassuring his friend that he told the girl he was falling for about his best mate. " you're his best friend"
Hiccup had spoke a lot about his friends and family to her these past few months, she'd learnt about every single one of them. Including Heather, now at first she didn't like the thought of him being with someone who was now a close friend, but she brushed it under the carpet when he assured her he was never with her like they way he was with Astrid.
However she now had to deal with the fact that, she'd drenched that exact girl full of champagne.
" Best friend, hey?! Can I have that in writing please Hiccup? I'd like to hold that over Snotty's head for the rest of his life" he chuckles to himself while cleaning up his little doctors layout. While Hiccup kept his attention on his girlfriend and her fully stitched up hand.
Eret watched at his 'best friend' ( once he gets it in writing) caressed the girl's hand and face. Eret had seen all of Hiccups past relationships, whether they were short or as long as the one he had with Cami, he'd never seen him look at someone like he looked at Astrid. Fussing over her hand as she jokingly pushed him away, wrapping his arms around her small frame and dragging her close to chest and kissing her neck and cheek.
" Hiccup I'm fine" he kissed her lips softly, kissing the corners of her mouth twice over.
" what? And I can't check?" He ran his hand down her arm, holding her right hand in his left, rubbing her skin with his thumb softly.
" I never said that, you just don't need to worry-" her hand still stung from the stitches, but other than that she fine, nervous about what she was gonna say to the other 5, but fine.
" I'm always gonna worry about you" his smile was a warm comfort to her, no matter what happens tonight, no matter how many people get mad, and she understands why, she had him.
" here -" Eret brought both of them back into the room, holding a white bandage wrap in his hand. " let's wrap that up so you don't catch your stitches" she passed her hand back without hesitation, trusting her boyfriend's friend easily.
" you'll need to have these taken out in a few days, get Hiccup to give me a call yeah!" He seemed so calm about all this, his friend had been keeping a secret from him and he didn't look mad at all. She just thought it was a guy thing.
" thanks Eret" Hiccup said from behind her, she caught Eret giving him a wink as he finished wrapping up her wound.
" I think your girlfriend is mad at me" she said what she had been thinking over and over in her head, the girl Hiccup knew from birth, a girl who was dating her boyfriend's best friend, a girl who was well know to the Haddock family. Her luck with getting on this family's good side was dropping by the second.
Meanwhile as Eret ties off the bandage, he begins to giggle, and she wasn't sure what he found so funny, and the accusation in her head brought it out with her facial expression.
" sorry, no Heather will get over it, she may seem uptight at first, but deep down she's sweet, she's loving, she's caring. And she will laugh about this in the future. Oh and her coat I wouldn't worry about, she has the exact same one in five different colours" he gave her hand a pat as he gave it back to her, and a reassuring smile along with it.
" thank you"
There was no more excuses now, Hiccup and Astrid had to face the other people in the other room, family and friends who they had technically lied to. In their defence it was their relationship and keeping it between them was their choice, but Astrid still felt slightly guilty cause she was the one who suggested it, for her selfish benefit. And now she had to face it, with Hiccup's hand in hers, well her good hand that was anyway.
Xx
Sitting in Hiccup's living never felt so weird, but now the two were sat on the end of his horse shoe couch, with Snot and Ruff to the left, Heather and Eret sat to the left of them and Hiccups parents facing both Astrid and Hiccup on the other side of Hiccup's sofa.
She never felt so awkward in her life, who to talk to first, but the one thing she did have to make clear was that Hiccup was not to blame for their secret.
" can I just say that this is all my fault, I was the one who asked for this to be a secret, it was my call-" she spoke to the six in front of them, feeling less nervous with Eret giving them a smile, but as she went to carry on with taking the blame, Hiccup beside her stepped in, not having it that he didn't have a part in this too, that had his say.
" woah, this isn't on you I agreed with you, don't make it out that I didn't have a say cause I did! And I agreed that keeping us to ourself was the best choice. I agree with keeping us a secret!" She never really seen him get this mad, well not mad, he was standing his ground. She'd seen him on phone calls dealing with problems and that's only the time she saw him lose his temper. But now she kinda felt reassured by his statement, he was standing with her now, taking the blame full force.
" so why did you keep this a secret?" Ruffnut spoke out, Astrid was wondering whether her friend would speak.
Astrid thought best she spoke first, as she had the most reasons why they wanted to keep their relationship all hush. Hiccup was only that he agreed with what she was saying.
" because he was a Haddock and I researched what came with being a Haddock, photographs, stories, backgrounds pulled up and told for everyone to hear. There are reasons why the Haddocks go off the radar for a few years, it's to get a bit of peace!" She had no objects off anyone at that point, for once she had everyone's attention.
" I know it's selfish but I just wanted to get through this last year without people knowing I'm 'sleeping' with a Haddock, cause that's all people are going to see. We agreed to get through this year and then come summer, we'll start to tell everyone. And I'll have to except every inch of my background being pulled up and out in the open ." She got no objects off anyone. Out of everyone in this room she was probably the one who knew the least about the Haddocks, and she was dating one of them. They all knew what came with the Haddock - or anyone that associated with them, the Berk's tabloids would destroy anyone who was in their social group.
But before the silence could get too comfortable, Ruffnut spoke up again, making Astrid believe out of all of them she was probably hurt the most.
" I don't understand, what's wrong with your past? So what you are an orphan, fuck them if they think that's not worthy enough of being a Haddock" and she was pissed off too. But her being an orphan wasn't what she was worried about getting out. She'd never told Ruff about her foster parents, or the fact she was once homeless, she'd only told Hiccup. And she would have liked to keep it that way, only maybe if she had told her in the first place, she wouldn't feel like a crappy friend.
" well is there something I'm missing?" Ruffnut must have felt like she was keeping another thing from her, especially when it came to hiding her facial expressions.
" being an orphan isn't exactly what I'm afraid of coming out" she felt six eyes burying into her, even though the others haven't really been saying anything, they were still listening.
" then what?" Hiccups hand came down to hers, knowing what she was about to confess.
" I didn't exactly stay in foster care for long, I left after a few months, and I - " she couldn't bring the words to her mouth, how exactly could she tell her best friend she was homeless, and Snotlout, Heather, Eret and most of all her boyfriend's parents! What were they all gonna think of her, a 15 year old girl who left foster care only to turn up homeless. Pathetic isn't it!
" i was homeless Ruff, for a good few years. I didn't trust foster care after they had put me with a sexual abuser so I decided I'd rather be on the streets without a home than be in a foster home. And I don't want that to come out" she fell back into Hiccup's chest, feeing his arms instantly wrap around her a little. She regretted how she said it, she more or less barked it at Ruffnut and not to mention the others too.
" holy shit" she heard from Eret, but she didn't want to open her eyes. From Hiccup's view he could see the same reaction on others faces the same he had found out. Snotlout and Eret were genuinely confused, Ruffnut and Heather looked mortified, but his parents, his parents just gave him a sympathetic smile, both of them. And he gave them one back, a genuine smile to tell them he didn't care about this girl's past, he loved her and he was happy.
" why did you never tell me?" Their attention was brought back with Ruffnut's question. " why tell him and not me?" That question was more spiteful than the first.
" because I was embarrassed and my past can come back to haunt him, if anyone decided to run the story of Hiccup Haddock hooking up with a homeless chick it would hurt him as well as me, so I only found it fair." She could just see the headlines now, pairing her as some seductive vixen who seduced the wealthiest man in Berk, or the Archipelago.
And she was angry, that she had to explain it again, but then she was guilty, that's all she felt - guilt. But then she felt like crying, that part of her past she felt like she could just pack it away and forget it. She was a whole bunch of emotions. She was a stupid kid who made a stupid decision, and when she finally knew it, it was too late.
" Astrid who cares! You're still Astrid! You're still my best friend! You think I would care about your past? And so what if someone else thinks your not worthy enough, what does that matter to strangers if you have people who love you, and don't give a fuck about you being homeless -" she grabbed her hand roughly, her eyes focused on her friend and no one else. " I love you, you're my best friend, and nothing - no secret or past will change that you daft bitch" the last bit made her giggle, giving her friend a big smile. Ruffnut being exactly who she truly was and cheering her up was exactly what she needed.
" you mean that, you're not mad? " the two had completely forgotten the others at that moment.
" oh I'm fucking pissed but I still love you - and I need details" she knew exactly what details by the way she said it, but she didn't care. Astrid wrapped herself around her friend, wishing for once she went with her gut feeling a told Ruff everything from the start. Astrid and her trust issues were a known thing though to Ruff and even though it hurt at first, she still wanted her friend to know she will always be there.
" what was it like being homeless?" That question was brought by Eret, who soon after got a slap on the arm by Heather.
" what was that for?"
" you can't ask stuff like that, be sensitive!"
" I thought we could ask questions?!"
The two were like a married couple, but as Astrid and Ruffnut pulled back from their embrace, they had to deal with the questions from the others too. No one had expected her to answer, but now what was the point in keeping it a secret, they all knew and Astrid saw no point in keeping it all buried in. " it was actually alright, I know it might sound crazy but, I'm a survivor and I do well on my own."
Eret gave his girlfriend that look that literally said 'see!' But deep down Astrid was glad he asked, cause she never really came to terms with life of the streets in the first place. " see, told you, you've got a tough cookie there Hiccup"
With that said Hiccups arms wrapped around her, and a kiss was planted on her side temple.
" when did you guys start - this" Snotlout finally spoke up from being silent, if he had to admit it, he was processing it all in his head, connecting up the dots by the fact his girlfriends best friend was his cousins girlfriend? It was all confusing till now.
" May" Hiccup answered. Gosh May felt like a life time ago, when he saw her in the coffee house, and took her on their first date, made love for the first time. It just felt like another life for them.
" makes sense" Heather spoke now, Astrid had feared she'd be pissed at her after the whole champagne accident, but Eret kinda did reassure her on the fact his girlfriend was a sweet women. " Hiccup's been a lot happier since summer, I just thought you were having a good run with the business, I'd have never had guessed this though"
If Hiccup had to be honest - neither did he. From the end of April being of May he'd had never had guested he'd run into the blonde bombshell of a women, she came into his life thick and fast and he wouldn't change it. Yes his friend was right he had been happier, cause for once he felt like Hiccup again, he felt like himself.
" you still want to keep your relationship a secret?" His mother spoke now, after staying quiet for so long, her excitement had calmed, he didn't know whether that was a good sign or bad?
" yes!" Astrid spoke before he could " I'd still like to keep it quiet till after my university year is over, if you can understand" her nerves were vibrating through her skin, she was shaking as she spoke, but Hiccup grounded her, held her steady.
" sweetheart we are Haddocks -" Stoick now spoke his turn, the large man spoke soft though, kind towards her. " secrets are in our blood" and then he smiled, they all did. Were they all agreeing to keep this a secret, was that all it took for them to be on their side?
" why would you do this for me? You don't owe me anything?" Her question was mainly for her boyfriend's parents, but suddenly they all had an answer.
" because if Hiccup loves and trusts you, then so do we" Valka spoke for both her and her husband. They were basically giving them their blessing.
" if Hiccup's, I'm happy" Heather then spoke up, and Eret was right, from Astrid thinking she could be a bitch, Heather seemed alright. " ditto" Eret joined in on his girlfriends comment. But she knew Eret was on board from when he was in the kitchen.
" what the heck I keep secrets all the time" Snotlout shrugged his shoulders, he might be pretending not to be too bothered but honestly Astrid believed he was doing it for his cousin.
And after all that waiting, thinking the more people know, the more chance of someone finding out, the couple now had 6 people saying they would keep their secret for them. Whether it was because of love or loyalty it didn't matter, she only wished she had done this weeks ago, cause it would have felt so much better.
That was till Ruff had her little say, " yeah but I still need those details."
Somethings never change.
Xx
As the night draws to a close, both Heather and Eret, Ruffnut and Snotlout went home, Ruff making note that her roommate will be probably now spending the night here. It all made sense now, the sleep overs and the shadiness around her asking about boys, Ruffnut just put it down to nerves, she'd have never had guessed her fucking a Haddock!
Astrid was in the kitchen now, as the four left, taking some tablets for her hand, not knowing that Hiccup had pulled his parents quickly aside.
" hey I just wanted to ask that it's okay that Astrid stays the night?" For a second he felt like a teenager asking for asking for a sleepover, and his parents shared the same confusion.
" Hiccup, it's your house do what you like," his mother placed her arms on his rubbing the sides gently.
" I know but you're still my parents and I still respect you" he always had respected his parents, no matter how annoying they can be, how stubborn, his parents had given him a life he sometimes thinks he doesn't deserve. And he only had his respect, loyalty and love to give back.
His mother however just smiled, leaning over to kiss his cheek like she did when he was a child. " And we love you for that son, but if this girl makes you happy, then you have no objects from us," his farther nodded behind her, making the whole weight lift off their son's shoulders.
" and we'd love to get to know the lass, when she's not serving us champagne that is" his farther pointed out, gods he forgot about that! And he probably needed to ask why she was at his house serving champagne too. Laughing with his parents, he had the blessing he needed, his parents were happy to get to know her just like he had.
" yeah, thanks - and I am happy, truly" he gave them a hug briefly, squeezing his mum slightly longer.
" you go ahead son, me and your farther are gonna head on up" his parents never really stayed at his, however on occasions when the winter months were drawing in, if they came down to visit he'd have one of the guest rooms prepared for them. They lived up north, slightly up the Berkian mountain, so when the snow it, it hit hard and he didn't like the thought of his parents driving in snow at night.
Bidding is parents good night he went back to the kitchen where Astrid was rummaging through his draws to find some pain killers. She hand the glass at the ready but couldn't remember where the pain killers were.
" next draw to your left, top" he said from a far, he'd moved them there last week after Luna insisted she organise his draws. She pulled out the box of pain killers, thanking him as she popped them out of their cases.
" Eret said to give him a call in about 14 days before he left, said he'll take them out for you" she nodded but didn't say a word, pouring the rest of the water down the sink drain as she had finished taking the tablets. He'd never seen her so quiet, she always had something to say usually.
" Astrid?"
" did you hate that I asked you to keep us a secret from everyone you loved?" The question for him came out of nowhere, sure he had thought of telling his love ones eventually, but he didn't decide to do it cause she told him so. He did it cause he thought it was for the best. " cause surely did" she didn't even give him time to answer.
" it was selfish I know that now" he was gonna walk over to her, but Astrid was already making her way over to him after putting the glass in his dish washer. " it would have been so much more easier to just come on out with it"
The thought had been eating up her all day, sure secrets were fun at first, but it was eating her up inside after 6 months worth of it.
" yeah it would have," She shot a look up at him, cause now she knew he was thinking it too, " but we had our reasons, and it was fun to be just us for a while, and now we know our friends are gonna keep this quiet till after your final year is up. I'd say it's all worth it" He was right about their family and friends, even Ruffnut had promised to not tell Tuff, knowing he can't hold shit in. Hiccup's parents had promised to not even brag about it to their friends in politics or Valka's afternoon tea club. And then Heather had promised to keep it from her older brother if Hiccup promised to tell Dagur in his own time, cause Dagur had a brother relationship with Hiccup.
Eret just said ' who would I tell? I'm a doctor, people shut off when I talk'.
They had loyal friends who promised to keep a stranger ( apart from Ruff) safe from the public eye.
Hiccup felt her falling into his arms and chest, digging her face into his neck, she was acting different, not like the Astrid he knew. It was only when she started crying that he knew there was something more going on than thinking his family and friends hated her.
" what's up?" Feeling a little out of depth since she rarely cried, he began to stroke the back of her head as a way of comforting her.
" I was - " she pulled back looking up at him, all concerned in his eyes looking back down at her. " I went to my parents grave today, that's where I went. Cannibal Isle that's where they were buried anyway. 7 years today." She didn't tell Hiccup when her parents died he wouldn't have known it was today, but then at first she had wanted to spend the day alone.
" why didn't you tell me? I would - I would have come with you" and she knew he would have, cause that's who Hiccup is, but at first she wanted to say to herself.
" i know, I just wanted to go alone at first" he relaxed a little, cause he was the kind of person to understand she might of needed space. " but I wished I had asked you to come, I know it's not the same as me meeting your parents, but would you come next time, I'd like that?" His hands came up to her to cup her face, stocking it with his thumbs. She took it when he kissed her as a yes, but he still clarified what he meant.
" you know I would"
She kissed him back slowly, running her one good hand through his hair as he now held onto the right one, carefully not pulling on the bandage.
" you gonna take me upstairs Mr Haddock? Or do I have to drag you?" Now that was the Astrid he knew.
" lead the way Milady"
xx
Authors note : for the next chapter it will hopefully be next week. Hope you are all enjoying this story, reviews are appreciated and i'll try to answer as many questions as possible without giving any big spoilers. But to answer one review, there is more drama to come ...