Chapter 8 - I'm Gonna Be Warm This Winter
Authors note: I've been asked how many chapters left, looking at when planning this story, I had around the mid 20's in my head at the start for the whole story, however I'm not sure yet, it depends if I decide to split a chapter in two, which I have done before. But its going to be a full story!
Christmas in Berk was well known for its old name and tradition - Snoggletog! Snoggletog is an annual holiday for Berkians, as the Vikings used to build a tree out of green planks and decorating it with shields as a way to create a Snoggletog tree. Snoggletog as a "winter holiday" was celebrated throughout the whole Archipelago, schools would have the annual Snoggletog pageant where parents could come and watch their kids tell the tales of past Snoggletogs from centuries ago. But other than that it was like any old Christmas tradition.
Astrid use to love Christmas when she was young, her family used to go away to a log cabin and spend Christmas there, where they would make mince pies, hang decorations, decorate a tree. Her dad used to build an out door fire and they'd have hot chocolate together, telling stories while wrapped up in big woollen blankets.
But that was then, now it was just a reminder that university was on a break and all her friends were going home to see family and she was stuck at her apartment. This year wouldn't be too bad, Ruffnut like always asked if she wanted to go hers, but she politely declined as she felt rude intruding. And also the Thornston family did bizarre things over the holidays and she wasn't gonna be part of it. So she'd spend Christmas this year in her apartment, maybe see what the city was throwing for Snoggletog, pull in a few shifts? She hadn't thought that far ahead yet, for now she was helping her friend pack up for her trip home.
And if you know Ruffnut she never travels light.
" alright, what do you think? Red? Or white?" She held the two dressed up against her body, the two basically looking the same asking Astrid what her opinion was on the two. However Astrid didn't know why she did this cause almost all the time she just took both. " you know what, I'll just take both" and there it was, so predictable. She stuff both her dresses in her second suitcase, that's right, second suitcase!
" okay I think I've got everything" and literally everything, the only thing she was probably leaving here was her bedding.
" Ruff you sure you need all this stuff?" She looked at the two suitcases, three bags and one carry on, it was only 20 minutes in the car on the motorway, she didn't know why her friend needed so much clothes.
" you never know when the opportunity might present itself" that's all Ruffnut would say about the amount of clothes she brought, if the opportunity presents itself.
" Ruffnut you have a boyfriend now don't you?" She meant Snotlout of course, since the two of them had been hooking up in their apartment for the past few weeks a lot. However she'd go to Hiccup's if the noise was becoming unbearable. One night it came to where both Ruffnut and Snotlout, Hiccup and Astrid were in their apartment, and it only got awkward in the middle of the night when Snotlout and Hiccup caught each other in the kitchen.
" well yeah! But I need to look my best 24/7 Ast, looking like this doesn't come from not doing yourself up you know" she pointed at herself, it wasn't a secret that Ruff had body confidence, and a lot of it.
" okay, but just so you know I ain't helping you get all these bags into a car" for off term breaks like for Snoggletog or Easter which is the spring festival, Ruffnut's dad would come pick up her and her brother.
" don't be a bitch," she was so matter of fact, they were like sisters fighting, but in the end they loved each other. Her phone pinged, pulling it out of her back pocket clicking on it to see who messaged her. " it's my dad he's outside" it only took a second for them to embrace in a hug, it would be a month before they are literally back living together.
" you sure you don't wanna spent Snoggletog with us?" She never doubted that she would have a good time at the Thornston Snoggletog, but the place would be crowded as it is. Ruffnut last year tried to convince her to come by telling her how may people would be staying in their three bedroom house.
" I'm sure" the two squeezed each other one last time before Ruff had to head down stairs to meet up with her dad.
This is what she hated about Snoggletog, or Christmas as she saw it. Families getting together, enjoying the festive feeling together. She didn't have that with her family, her family was gone.
As the Thornstons help pack up her friends stuff, Ruffnut gave her one last hug, " do me a favour, call Hiccup, see what he's doing over Snoggletog. Just don't spend another Snoggletog alone okay, you have people who love you okay" Ruffnut wouldn't leave till she agreed. Knowing Astrid would just sink into her own little hole and forget about the holidays.
" I - I promise"
Xx
If Hiccup was good at anything it was burying himself into his work. Especially since Snoggletog was around the corner, Business was booming for Haddock Energy, and since he had wages to pay and Snoggletog bonuses too. Work for him was like avoiding the world for a few hours and digging himself into stuff he actually understands. Two energy pillars were being built up north and he had to over see everything ran smoothly over this years worth task.
Greta came walking into his office after she quietly knocked. Greta has been working as Hiccups PA ever since Angie had handed in her notice. Greta has been a great PA, she was similar age to Luna so Astrid likes Greta a lot since she was a woman working for her boyfriend.
" Mr Haddock? Line 2" she spoke firmly but quietly so she didn't disturb him while he worked. She waited for his thanks before she left soundly.
Line 2 was personal. He had three lines on his work phone, Line 1 was for business, whatever kind of business it was it didn't matter, it was sent to Line 1.
Line 2 was for personal stuff, like family, friends, he'd then known if it was important or not when it was a personal call to his work phone.
Line 3 was just a 'call back' line, meaning it wasn't as important as the first two.
He picked up the phone thinking it would be Astrid, she usually called him when he was at work, made it a game on how easily it can take for her to distract him. However in his defence the last time she did that she literally described what she was wearing and only included 2 items. He hated to admit it but she was his biggest distraction, though he's never admit that, she'd never let him live it down. Although he found it proper sexy when she was teasing him.
" hello?" He had a huge smile waiting for her to reply with one of her Astrid comments. Like 'hey sexy!' Or 'guess what I'm doing right now?' And on occasions " you'll never guess what I'm doing to you now in my head!" She never dared to say anything to much just in case someone jumped in on their phone call.
" hi son!" His mother, that he wasn't expecting her call. Though his mother was always up for the unexpected. Ever since the secret about him and Astrid was out his mother had been hounding him with questions, Astrid found it cute and sweet, he found it embarrassing whenever his mother would bring up sex.
" hi mom" however he didn't hold it against her, for years after the Cami incident he'd kept himself closed off from the outside world and her seriously worried her. And he knew she wanted the best for him, and Astrid was that, the best for him.
" just checking you are heading up for Snoggletog this year, you've usually called by now?" Every year since he moved into his house he'd go up to his parents to spend Snoggletog, all his friends had family or partners so he decided not to spend it on his own and spend it with his family. However this year he'd be holding off, for one reason only, Astrid.
He knew she had no family to go to over the holidays, and this would be their first Snoggletog together, and without being rude, he really wanted to spend it with her. Though he hadn't exactly asked her yet, he should really drop by hers before heading home, see if she wanted to spend it with him instead of her apartment alone. He'd have to think carefully, few weeks ago he traveled to Cannibal Isle with her to visit her parents grave, he learned a little more about what happened to her after spending time in her foster home, and spending her first Christmas on the streets. She said she hasn't had a proper Christmas ( that's what she called it) since her parents passed.
" look mom I -" he couldn't find the right words to say, he hated disappointing her as it is, but he had someone else now in his life to spend time with. And it wasn't like a second best sort of decision, but he didn't want to leave Astrid to spend the holidays alone. Especially when she didn't have too.
" you're not coming are you?" She took the words right out of his mouth, and just like he didn't want, she sounded disappointed.
" mom I'm sorry" he never wanted to disappoint his parents, they were so good to him over the years, given him everything he needed and more to get where he was today. And all they wanted was not to be disappointed by him.
" is it work that's keeping you?" In the past Hiccup wouldn't arrive until Snoggletog eve cause he had been swamped with work, that was only in the first few years of him running the company after his dad stepped down. However they were understandable back then, and even though he's swapped now, he still had control over everything.
" no actually it's not that," however he couldn't lie about it, yeah it would have been an easier option, but his mother had known him his whole life and eventually she would have seen through him, like she eventually did with him dating Astrid. " it's Astrid, she doesn't have family and I believe she's spending Christmas alone -" he went to go on about how he'd like to spend it with her and let her not be alone this time of year. But his mother butted in like normal.
" sweetheart I know it's modern times but us Berkians call it Snoggletog and we will stick to those traditions" she was right, children born in the Archipelago stuck to the Viking traditions as much as possible and even though modern times were consuming their land, they still stuck to their beliefs.
" that's the thing though mom, Astrid was raised on the main land, she celebrates Christmas and I don't want to force her into our traditions, and I don't want her to spend the Holidays alone" first Snoggletog/ Christmas when he's not single and considering he has been with her over 6 months now and he'd like to spend it with her too.
" well son invite her along, we'll do a Christmas- Snoggletog mix up, we'd love to see her again, it has been over a month" she was speaking for both her and his dad, the two were very taken with Astrid before leaving in the first weekend of November. He didn't know how to answer, he didn't want to promise one thing and then her say she didn't want to. He sighed down the phone without realising, cause his mother to add something else. " just ask, if she says no we won't be offended promise"
He couldn't argue with that, at least the offer was there, " alright, I'll ask" he heard her slightly squeak, he knew his mother more than anyone was glad he had someone in his life, romantically. In her and his dads head she was the closest connection for grandchildren.
" okay, I'll leave you to it, remember if you guys are coming up, sooner is better than later, the snow is really coming down. " she was right, looking out his office window, the snow clumps were coming down thick and fast, then sticking down by the inch. If he can he'd leave as early as tomorrow morning, that way if the snow got any thicker it would be too dangerous to then drive.
" alright, I should have a answer tonight hopefully, I'll keep you updated" with goodbyes and a short but sweet 'love you ' at the end, he placed the phone down and immediately looked out his window again. It was gonna be a white Snoggletog this year, the snow was coming down from the north, leaving an artic frost over the isle of Berk.
If he was gonna ask Astrid his mothers proposal then he'd have to do it today, for with the snow coming down as it was he'd have to decide whether he was going up or not by tomorrow. He looked down at his desk, the load of paper spread out entirely across it. He gathered them up and placed them into his briefcase, this he could from home on his laptop, right now he had his girl to visit.
But not before he told Greta to get off early, she deserves it.
Xx
She wasn't expecting a knock on her door today, at first she thought that maybe Ruffnut had forgot something, but then she'd use a key. Maybe maintenance but then she hadn't requested them to come up. So when coming to the door and opening it up, she was surprised to see her boyfriend wrapped thick in woollen items with the melting snow still on his clothes.
" hi?" She said while laughing at the fact he was shivering like a cartoon.
" h-he-hey" She didn't dare to go outside, her and the cold don't go well together.
" you wanna hot drink? You look like an icicle" again she giggled as he let him him, helping him up wrap from his woollen cocoon. One by one she placed his gloves, hat, scarf, even his coat on her radiator hoping it will thaw out and warm up.
" you got any hot chocolate?" He knew she had hot chocolate, but he asked anyway, hot chocolate was her student drink, drinking it to get through the winter months and final exam mocks.
Astrid didn't answer with a yes or no, she just walked over to the cupboard and started to make him his drink, "anyone see you?" She asked getting a shake of the head for a reply, his teeth chattering still might be the reason. She'd lived on Berk now nearly three years, she was well aware of the freezing to death conditions, it got so cold that even the sea would freeze over in some areas and it would be thick enough to walk on. However Hiccup lived here his whole life and he still didn't like the weather.
" so - what do I owe the pleasure?" She placed the drink down on the coffee table near the sofa where he sat, but he didn't go for it straight away, not when she came sitting on his lap literally, transferring some of her body heat to him. Before he answered properly he hummed slightly as he brought his cold hands under her comfy sweatshirt. She jolted slightly, but wasn't for moving yet, so she rested her head on his shoulder while he got warmer.
" I came to ask you something?" She sounded warmer since he basically came walking into her apartment with chattering teeth. She moved slight, only so he could go get his drink from the table and bring it back to where they were sitting, and then her head was back on his shoulder again.
" what?" She hummed into the crook of his neck.
" my mom asked if you wanted to spend a Snoggletog/Christmas with - them ... and me?" Saying it out loud he knew it was disastrous, he knew his mother meant well but this holiday mix up she had in her mind wasn't gonna work.
He head moved again from his shoulder, but this time she just stayed looking at him. " you asking me to spend the holidays with you?" In her head she promised Ruff she wasn't gonna spend the holidays alone this year, especially if she was no longer single. She just didn't expect him to come hers on that exact day.
" well yeah of course! Actually I was gonna ask you to spend it with me alone, but then my mom being my mom wanted to get involved and she really likes you and wants to see you" he started rambling faster, " it was her idea of this Snoggletog/Christmas mix up and I know it's stupid cause it's just gonna be a big mess no doubt and you can say no if you want to I wouldn't be offended and neither would-" he got stopped by a pair of lips, her pressed firmly against his, and for once he forgot what he was rambling about, bringing his semi-cold hand up to her warm face and drawing her closer.
" you talk to much," she teased and she kissed him harder, bringing her legs to straddle him, that way he could now fully wrap his arms around her waist.
She hadn't thought much of the Holidays, they were no longer special anymore since she had no family to share it with. But then Hiccup came stubbing into her life over 6 months ago and she classed him as the closets thing to family. Only with Ruffnut of course. But even she agreed that having Hiccup was good for her, making her once lonely best friend grounded again. She had thought about a future with Hiccup, even if he hadn't. She was never one with a plan for the future, especially with her background she didn't see a future, but with Hiccup it was like one just popped in her head, and it made her happy just thinking about it.
He pulled back before shedid, cupping her face into his hands. He just looked at her, while caressing her face with his two thumbs.
" you know what, I'd love to, I need to get to know your parents more anyway since you had a full conversation with mine" she smiled at that memory, the weekend his parents left to go back home, he kept by his promise and the two visited Cannibal Isle where Astrid took him to where her parents were buried. He had a full on conversation telling the stone grave everything he'd learned about their daughter, but she recons he did it for her benefit for she was quite upset whenever she sees their grave.
He gave her a kiss promptly, but pulled back before she got too comfortable, " yeah?" She nodded again as his question, laughing as he tightens is grip around her waste. " well we need to be leaving at the latest tomorrow morning sooo - you want me to help you pack?" He had his head set on keeping to the schedule as the snow was still coming down outside, and he'd have to call his parents later to let them know know their plans. She on the other hand had her head set on unbuttoning his khaki green shirt.
" yeah maybe later, right now - you wanna help me undress?" She said between kisses, she was already unbuttoning the top buttons, pulling down his dark brown tie so she could get to them. He didn't have to answer with a yes or no, his arms sliding under her thighs and bum and hoisting her up so he could carry her with ease, gave her his answer.
Him, clumsily carrying her to her bedroom door, gave her his answer. As he tried to work on the doorknob while still keeping her up, as soon as the door clicked opened the two came stumbling into her bedroom, like the first time they had came to her room all those months ago. He threw her on the bed and again his false leg tripping over that loose floor board she had. "Damn leg!" He cursed under his breath before his lips returned to hers, and the eagerness returned, heading straight past the pit of his stomach. She knew how he felt about his prosthetic leg, even though it was a technologically advanced
microprocessor leg, he still hated it as any man would when losing their real leg. He never talked about it much, but she always made sure he knew how much she loved him no matter what.
And he loved her, as he held on tightly to her as the two stripped down, making sweet love like they always do. That's what gave her his answer, his answer that he'd love her forever if that was possible.
Xx
" you should definitely pack this?" He held her neon orange lingerie by the strap as she was shoving stuff into a small/medium suitcase. He was sat on her bed semi dressed after his pathetic attempt to put back on his clothes, however right next to her bed was a set of draws that she kept her underwear in. Now she wished she hadn't as he was raiding it and tell her what she should pack for 'her' when they both know it was for him basically.
" and this!" He then pulled out the salmon one too holding both the salmon pink and orange one in his hand, smug look on his face as she snatched the two sets of lingerie out on his hand and shoved it in the suitcase with the rest of her clothes. She swore she heard a slightly 'yes!' escape his lips, but she let it pass as she had to focus.
" what am I missing?" She knew she was missing something, it was like at the back of her mind. Clothes, underwear, socks, shoes, hair stuff ... she kept hovering over her now fully zipped up suitcase, her coat, hat, gloves and scarf hanging over it ready for her to put on.
" maybe these?" As well as her underwear in the draws beside her bed, it's where she keeps her 'provisions' for her and Hiccup. He held a Durex box of extra protection condoms, smug smile all over his face.
" what, you can't provide your own?" The smug smile was now transferred into her face, as he threw the box back into her draw.
" yes I can actually, Milady " she still wouldn't let him forget that he once forgot to bring his own. But then that made her remember what exactly she was missing.
" toiletries!" By the time she did a little cheer, she was running into her bathroom and shoving stuff into her travel bag, everything she'll need for the next few weeks. " damn!" She said from the bathroom causing Hiccup to shoot up from him lying on the bed, there was some more shuffling before she came back, holding a bag in one hand and a Tampax box in the other.
" what's wrong?" He could still see the frustrated look on her face.
" I'm low -" she paused looking over to him as she placed the bag beside her suitcase. " low on girl stuff" with the embarrassing look as she shook the Tampax box with her free hand. As he sat up now she placed the box on top as a reminder, and then sulked over to him. He wrapped his arms around her pulling her in between his legs, getting a little deja vu from when she did this before in bed.
" you know I might be an only child but - I know the ins and outs of a woman's body, especially my woman's anyway" he meant her as he peppered kisses all along her neck, knowing that he had explored every inch of her body that nothing was hidden from him. And he knew about her monthly cycle, felt the effects of her mood swings and knows that in about a week he'd have to be extra nice to her. " we can stop by a shop so you're all stocked up" lips crossed hers at the end of his sentence, she knew how lucky she was with him, and sometimes she liked to show her appreciation.
" I love you -" she kissed him slowly, " thank you, alright then I'm done!" Jumping out of his arms she slipped into her puffer coat, gloves at the ready...
" you forgot this" at then end of her bed was her camera case, inside was her camera, charger and lenses. Hiccup knew by now how precious her mother's camera was to her, nothing she had was as close as the camera was, it was the last thing she had. Standing up he hung the camera bag over her shoulder, kissing her forehead before her placed her hat on her head. " now you are ready"
His little photography student.
Xx
Like Hiccup had promised they were on the road for 10:00, the snow was getting thicker by the second and any more longer it might not be safe to drive. She watched as the snow covered the sky as it fell. He'd said his parents house was about a 25 minute drive, however he was taking it slow due to the weather. She was feeling nervous but couldn't figure out why, she'd already met them, alright made a good impression - she hoped. However from her point of view she was never good with parents, the first time she met Ruffnut's parents her awkwardness kicked in, not speaking, avoiding conversation. So maybe that's where all these nerves were coming from, not being able to talk to them.
Astrid thought if she could get Hiccup's parents to like her, it will make it easy on him, and their relationship. Maybe she was trying to hard? Over thinking? All Astrid wanted was not to be a disappointment, he told her plenty of time she wasn't, but she made so many bad choices back then, she didn't want to make any now.
Her first Christmas on the streets was the toughest one, it had only been a few weeks after leaving her foster home too, so she wasn't use to it. That was the first time she met Old Wrinkly, she didn't know his true name nor did she ask, he was an ex military man and had been living on the streets for years when she first met him. He took her under his wing from then on, until he died that was.
Xx
She ran as fast as she could, in her little Checked pyjamas, her camera bag over she shoulder, not stopping for no one. Not the yells of her foster farther or the cries from her foster mother, she just ran faster, not caring of the cuts she was getting on her feet, not thinking of the cold as the December frost hit her thick and fast. The small town she moved to was new to her, she didn't know the streets like the ones back at home, so all she could do is run towards the noise of cars and the bright light in the darkness.
After losing her parents she'd never felt as lonely as she did now, it was bang on a month since she had lost them, not really mourned them cause 'Hoffersons are strong'. Astrid could cry now though, from the blood dripping from her feet, every step - agony. Or maybe she could cry from the fact her head was spinning and her heart was pounding, she could still feel the ghost of his hands on her stomach. She could cry at the though of hugging her mother, it was unfair that she lost them both, at 15! Astrid had always been a good kid, done her homework did her chores, why was it her parents that had to die?
The city was beautiful, covered in a thin layer of frost, It glowed. The bright night lights lite up the streets like illuminations, cars roared on the streets and people laughed and sang as the holidays were coming close. It was like the world was still moving forward, cause it was, it was her that was stuck. No one even noticed her walking through the stampede of people swinging and swaying over a glass or two, they wouldn't notice a girl who had bloody red feet and only wearing her soft cotton Pjs. The best place she could find was a 24 hour McDonald's, knowing that being there would mean she would be safe from the cold at least. She entered the toilets first cleaning up her feet so she didn't trail blood any where else, coming out she had to make sure she wouldn't be kicked out by one of the sulky students who obviously got stuck on night shift. Her mums camera always had a few coins in here and there, searching in all the pockets Astrid just had enough for a orange juice, and if she sipped it slowly maybe she could drag it out to morning. But as the hours ticked on by she was barely pushing 2:30 when she got caught by an older lady who saw her drifting off to sleep in the far corner.
" sweetie you can't sleep here" her head bounced back up, orange juice still stuck to her hand half full, back pressed up to the radiator for as much warmth as possible. The lady had silver blonde hair that was cut in a bob, she was only 30-40 from looking anyway, she was acting nice but right now Astrid only trusted herself. " sweetie? Are you okay?" Her green eyes wandered to her cotton pyjamas and her bare feet. She then realised how vulnerable she must have looked.
" you want something to eat?" She could do with some food, not to eat but to bag put and take with her, where ever she was going. With a small nod she was suddenly being guided into the back, looking at the name tag the lady was called Susan. The office was warmer than out there, the seats were comfier too, Susan rummage around till she came across some fresh clothes, shoes and a coat, something that would stop her from shaking.
" where are your parents sweetheart?" She refused to speak, just kept her eyes on her orange juice and kept her mouth shut. Susan soon got the message that Astrid wasn't for speaking. " okay - I'll get you some food and then we will talk" what this Susan wasn't getting at was that she wasn't saying a word, no trust, not in anyone but herself.
By the time her food had arrived Astrid was fully warming through with the tick clothes she was wearing, cooking from the inside. Susan had brought her a sausage bagel, the smell was mouth watering, she could even smell the heat that came off it, that toasted smell.
" you wanna tell me your name sweetie?" Astrid just stared at the middle age woman, not budging from her plan of keeping her mouth shut, she just snuggled into her coat holding the camera bag which was now under her clothing close to her chest.
" alright, I'm just gonna make a quick call okay, you enjoy your bagel" Susan left with a small warm smile. But Astrid knew she could trust her, who was she going to call? The police? Social services? She couldn't got back, not after what she went through to get away. The bagel was wrapped in a thin paper towel, covering it completely she slipped it in her pocket, zipping it shut to keep the warmth in. Her half full orange juice was placed in her other pocket, too big to zip shut. She could make a run for it, all she needed was a clean run, peering out of the office door she noticed Susan on the phone, no where need her escape route, she was making these ridiculous hand gestures but by the way she was talking Astrid knew she was talking about her! She had a clean shot from the outside, she took her chance, speeding by the students who pathetically didn't move an inch. It was Susan, the nice lady who dropped the phone and went calling after her, but she didn't listen, she was out the door and back in the cold air before Susan had chance to stop her.
Xx
It got to the point she thought she'd have to look for a place to sleep, but with no money and no one to help, where she would sleep tonight wasn't going to be ideal. But any where would be better than a foster home, under the bridge of the tram lines she noticed a few people huddled up, some were in tents, others in boxes, she saw women and men of all ages huddled together keeping the warmth between them as the night got colder.
She only felt the cold then when she saw the embers coming off a fire that someone had lite, walking closer the heat radiated off, her hands reached out automatically. The warmth was fantastic, it melted away any frost that was clinging to her fingers, she suddenly felt safe and remembers the log fire her farther use to build. That was the safety of the heat lasted about a second when her hand was snatched away.
" whatchya think yer doin ey?" A big brutish man held onto her hand, his breath a wretched smell, and he didn't look to good either, his teeth were handing out and his eyes were sunken in. His mate didn't look to good either, but he hovered behind the one who still had ahold of her so she was mainly fixed on him. " thinkin yer can 'ave what's mine?" His grip got tighter, pulling her further away from the heat, his eyes wandered down her, looking her up and down, fixated on her face.
" pretty little thing, you want me to keep you warm tonight?" his voice sent shivers down her spine as she pulled her arms away, but he held on tighter and he was obviously a lot stronger than her. She had no escape route now, not till the man jerked in pain, and from behind and older looking - bigger looking man grabbed him by the neck from behind. His mate didn't wait, and the ugly guy holding her wrist let her go immediately focusing on the pain from behind him.
" leave the girl alone" this mans voice sounded croaker than the one who grabbed her, but this one had kind eyes. But a harsh tongue. " or I'll fucking break your neck" the guy was roughly pushed, but did not stick around, he ran in the same direction that his mate left in and made no efforts in looking back. Which only left Astrid by the fire with the large mounting of a man, who she wasn't afraid of - yet.
" pretty little girl like you shouldn't be on the streets" he looked down at her through his big grey bushy eyebrows, with a matching moustache, she couldn't really see the colour of his hair as it was covered by a hat, but her guess was that it matched the grey tones in his facial hair. He reminded her yet again that she was now a person who lived on the streets, and the reality of it was really kicking in.
" do you speak kid?" By the question her silence was obviously getting on his nerves, but then she was still debating on trusting the man that might of literally saved her life just then. " look kid you don't have to trust me, but if I wanted any harm to come to you I would have let those men have their way" he had a point, though she was questioning why he would save a stranger.
" alright, I get the picture-" he paused for a minute and she swore she saw concern in his dark eyes " guess this is mine then?" He pointed at the fire beside her, taking a few steps to get to the other side of it. " you wanna share with me?" She couldn't understand why he was being so nice to her, but didn't question it as she followed his actions in warming up her hands.
" I'm Old wrinkly" he said randomly, she must have pulled a face though as he said something soon after. " don't ask cause I won't tell - and my friends call me Wrink" He had a strange name and she did wonder why, but respected his wishes and replied with a nod. She felt that warm safe feeling return as she moved closer to the fire, drawing in the warmth that it gave off.
" I'm Astrid" she spoke after a few moments of thinking of what to say. Astrid had decided to trust the man as he seemed no harm, though she wasn't for not letting her guard down, not yet.
He returned the smile Astrid had gave him, simply saying, " pretty name-" he then paused for a second before carrying on " look Astrid I'm in need of a friend, you know to watch out for me and vice versa" she knew what he was asking - instead of going separate ways they stick together, so they would have a chance of surviving. But they way he asked it was like he needed her, but maybe he was saying that cause he knew in reality it was her who needed him to survive.
" sure" she nodded, feeling the sudden urge to trust him. For he was right, if he wanted her to be harmed he would have left her to those men.
And so that night she had made an alliance with Old wrinkly, and soon to be good friend.
Xx
" Astrid!" She must have dosed off, for when her name was yelled she shot up from resting her head on the car window, not even remembering where she was.
" what?" Her eyes were blurry from sleep, until they fixated on Hiccup to her right looking right at her with a goofy smile, hand on her arm.
" you okay sleepy head?" He mocked the fact she fell asleep, for what 10-15 minutes, she didn't even feel tired before. She let her eyes wander around outside the car window, white snow covered everywhere in a thick layer, it had stopped snowing, but the skies were still grey. The car was parked in front of a beautiful wooden structured Viking mansion, it had stone pillars, wooden frames, and what looked to be in the middle of nowhere. She looked around and it was all woodlands, like the woods that surrounded Hiccups place, but darker oak.
She'd never been up north on Berk, only stayed in the city and visited places like East town and West town, this was the furthest up north she had been. Ruffnut had been up north before, she went to the ski resort which was in the Berkians mountains which was like another 15 - 20 minute drive. Hiccup mentioned that his parents owned a cabin in the mountings just off the ski resort, they use to go there for new year when he was younger. But now they just stayed at home. This home, this was where Hiccup grew up, where he learned to walk, talk, ride a bike. How many high school girlfriends did he take home to meet his parents, to 'study'. He stated that his high school was an academy of some sort in northern West town, where as Ruffnut, Tuffnut and Fishlegs went to Berkian high school, Hiccup went to St Odins academy along with Bear and Thug. She looked back now and thinks about how she didn't even get to finish high school.
" welcome to home sweet home for the next week or so" she kept her eyes on the grand home as Hiccup spoke, she'd be staying here with him till Christmas or Snoggletog tog had finished then Hiccup would be taking her back to the city for the new year. Or what the Berkian people called Hogmany, which was celebrating and welcoming a new year. Back in the day their would be a main hall where Vikings would preform a Huldrefolk Dance, now they would just call that clubbing. Which is what she had planned with Ruffnut as she promised to spend the last of the Snoggletog holiday and welcoming the new year together. But not in the city, no Ruffnut had other plans, but she wouldn't know till that day.
" you ready to go in or do you want another minute?" She hadn't realised she was staying so quiet, but she was absolutely gob smacked.
" it's stunning" she was lost for words really, they were really from two separate parts of the world! Hiccup only giggled at her statement, to him this was home.
" come on, we best head in before mum sends out a search party" and he wasn't joking either, it was no secret the Haddocks lived the life of luxury, like Hiccup - his parents had people at their beck and call, and they were generally paid too. Guessing she'd have to get use to it if she was openly involved with a Haddock - well semi openly. She followed Hiccup, her Timberland boot crunching the snow with her weight, it was so peaceful out here, she just had to take a few pictures. Leaning into the car again she grabbed her camera out of her bag and placed the strap over her head and started to take a few snaps while admiring her surroundings.
Hiccup pulled both their cases out of the trunk of his car, admiring his girl as she wandered around the woods. He pulled the boot lid shut and that caught her attention, she looked at him and saw he was looking back, but he was just mesmerised by her, and the way she just smiled at him only made him fall in love with her more.
" what? " she wandered back to the car grabbing her campus bag to place her camera back in before walking to him, question still lingering in the air.
" nothing, you just amaze me" He had away with compliments, the ones that made her feel like the prettiest girl in the world, he made her feel like diamonds, irresistible- irreplaceable! And all she could do was kiss him on the lips as a way of showing she wasn't going anywhere.
" I love you" she didn't know how many times she had said that before, but she knew no matter how many times she said it - it wouldn't amount to how much she really did love him.
" I love you too" he kissed her lips this time, soft and sweet, just like him. " come on - into the wolves den" he joked about his parents being overbearing, but she found it sweet, his parents wanted to be involved in Hiccup's life, she'd have died to have her parents here now, to introduce them to him properly.
Her mother would love him immediately that she would know, her farther would be a little stern but she knew eventually Hiccups lovely personality would wear her dad down. But she wouldn't see it that, not in this life time.
She grabbed her suitcase and travel bag while he did the same, locking his car up with a push of a button and his free hand took hers as they trudged through the snow to the front door. They could feel the wooden decking as they bounced up the stairs to the door, the snow was slippery as they got closer to the house, she could feel it under her feet.
" careful, hate to make a trip to the hospital before even getting through the front door" he had a cheek, though he knew if anyone was gonna trip it would be him and his dodgy leg.
There was no need to knock, he had a key to his old house next to the key of his own house. Unlocking the door like he'd never left. Immediately entering the house she understood when Hiccup said that his parents house, it may have looked like it belonged in the Stone Age but in the inside it was decorated beautifully, colours of stone and oak wood, pastel greys and whites. His mother obviously had a taste for modern style, and Astrid couldn't deny that she liked her boyfriend's mothers style.
" home sweet home" he said quietly, but then the quietness was disturbed by some people coming down the stairs. A man and women came up to Hiccup while the others Took their luggage from their hands. " Frey! Mikkel! Been a while" Hiccup hugged both with warm hugs, as if he knew them so well.
" Astrid this is Frey and Mikkel, they have been under my parents employment since I was a child" they must have been what Luna was to Hiccup, head of all those under the Haddocks employment. She shook their hands and they presented her with a warm smile, as if she too was a Haddock. Their chat with Hiccup was minimal, familiar like with Luna, but still not as chatty as he would be with her or his friends. However the catch up was cut short when his parents entered the main entrance, smiles on their faces as the spotted their two guest.
" son, your mother and I are pleased you and Astrid could make it, Snoggletog is time for family" Immediately Hiccup regret this decision, she should have stayed with him at his, at least it would have been less embarrassing. His mother though saw the cringe on her son's face, elbowed Stoick in the side and carried on where Stoick left off " and Christmas too" he was slowly dying inside.
Berk was up to date with all the modern traditions but liked to stick to its ancestral roots, but Astrid again wasn't raised in Berk - and so stocked with the modern times, however she was getting use to Berks holidays.
" it's fine Valka, I don't mind celebrating Snoggletog" Astrid at first insisted calling Hiccups parents by their title, Mr and Mrs Haddock. However she soon realised they liked to be addressed by their names. Which she found less awkward, but she felt awful right now, putting all this pressure on the hosts who were welcoming her into their home for the holidays and they were trying to accommodate everyone. She was fine with celebrating their traditions.
" nonsense I have planned a Christmas-Snoggletog mash up, I have learned the traditions of a traditional Christmas and we will teach you the traditions of a traditional Snoggletog." His mother was extra chipper today, and he was wondering when she was gonna go back to normal mom again. She was obsessed with Astrid ever since learning she was Hiccup's girlfriend, she'd been dying to have a girl in the family for 4 years.
" oh gods" he cringed under his breath, regretting his decision minute by minute, was it to late to go back and keep him and Astrid quiet again?
" Hiccup!" For a second he had his mother back as she shot a look over to him that could turn a man to stone. And then went back to chipper Val when going back to talk to Astrid. He knew he'd have to get use to it, Astrid was now his mothers new favourite person in the whole world.
" right I've got your room already, Frey will show you" their cases had already been taken from them and assuming they were already in the room. She lugged her travel bag over her shoulder, thanking them quickly before following the lady called Frey up the stairs, leaving Hiccup - unfortunately- with his parents.
" mom please tell me you haven't put me and my girlfriend in separate rooms ?" He should have been embarrassed when asking this, but he was a grown man and have been living on his own now for a few years now. He didn't need to feel embraced when addressing his parents about his personal life.
His mother however just smiled bringing a hand up to his face, patting his cheek gently. " Hiccup I know we are stuck in our ways with most things, but this is still the 21st century and I'm not a prude." His mother was definitely not, and neither was his farther, especially when it came to 'the talk' back when he was a young teen. " you'll both be in your old room, is that okay - or do you want us to prepare a guest room?" His mother was anything but predictable.
" my old room is fine, thank you" he swung his travel duffel bag over his shoulder, giving his mom a small smile.
It might not be too bad this year, at least he knew his mother approved of his choice in girlfriend.
Xx
Frey didn't hover, once walking into the bedroom Astrid will be staying in for the next few nights, Frey said good bye and left her too look around.
Her eyes Immediately went to her case, which was placed at the side of the door and sat next to Hiccup's. Which answered the question of if the two would be able to share a room. The room was large and had the space that can accommodate more than two people, so it was perfect for the two of them. It was grey, black and cream colours, and designed in a very modern theme. The floor was wood but there was a grey/beige rug that surrounded the bed, and there was draws and wardrobe space that filled the room. The window was straight a head of her, looking over the front drive of the house, and in front of the window was a desk which was filled with clutter of paper. There was a poof near the wardrobe where she now placed her travel bag and where the bed was pressed against the left wall, the space wardrobe was to the right.
There was a door facing the bed right next to the wardrobe, and looking through the gap it revealed a nice spacious bathroom for their use. She felt comfortable in staying here, as she was getting use to Hiccups house more and more, nothing was making her uncomfortable anymore.
If you ever stay in a hotel, you get this sense that it was brand new, picture perfect, a room that looked like a boutique, and even though she had that sense in say the design of the room, she got a sense of personality. The picture frames around the room, rows of aftershave and place settings where watches and wallets would go. This was Hiccups room, and the only thing that it know was that goofy little face in all the pictures, that and his taste in aftershave was the exact same at his home.
Before unpacking she wandered over to his desk, where he had more pictures, this time it was a picture of him with Eret, Snotlout, Heather and this blonde girl. The blonde girl was between Hiccup and Snotlout, and Astrid couldn't help but feel a little jealous, and it wasn't like she knew Hiccup had previous girlfriends, but just looking at it in this photo, she just had that ping of jealousy is all.
" I told mom to throw that away" she looked round to see Hiccup at the door way, she didn't know how long he was stood there, but he must have been there for a few minutes cause his duffel bag was next to hers on the poof. She held the picture in her hands still as she looked back to him, for a second she swore she couldn't read him, his face was blank and it unnerved her.
" Why? It's a lovely photo, how old were you?" She looked down slowly, running her thumb over his picture especially. He didn't look that young, a few years maybe, he looked happy, he had a huge smile on his face.
" 22, it was my finally year in Uni, before my dad left me the business. And it's just a memory I would rather forget." He walked over slowly as she was still looking down at the photo. He slowly reached over and took the frame from her hands, she didn't stop him, she let it slide from her hands though she still didn't know what was so bad about this photo. Once the photo was completely out of her grip he had placed it back on his desk but this time face down, not needing to look at it anymore. Astrid had known the signs of trying o forget your past, she had lived it, was still living it, and she was seeing the signs Hiccup. Never had she thought it was her place to ask about the girls in Hiccups past, and she didn't feel like she wanted to either as she'd only feel somewhat jealous of knowing about all these women. However this was different.
" Why? You looked happy" his arms were wrapped around her, she still couldn't read him, not knowing what was going through his head, she felt at a disadvantage.
" Yeah I was, but I'm much happier now" he leaned down and kissed her softly, if this was a way of his distracting her, she'd let it slide for a moment, but only for a moment while she kissed him back. She was pushed back onto his desk as the soft kiss became more needed, her hands backed up to stop them from crashing backwards, and her hands landed in a pile of paper. Pulling back from his lips she looked behind her to see that in the middle of his desk was loose sheets of paper with hundreds of sketches. There were loads piled on top of each other, landscapes, portraits, random sketches, images of dragons, trees, still life drawing, they were beautifully done. It was Hiccup's work no doudt with the details and the shading, she had always loved his work, he had a way whether it was either painting, drawing, sketching, his work would stand out.
As she was flicking through them, Hiccup behind her telling her where he was when he drew that or what gave him the idea to do this, she came across a portrait of the same girl in the photo, it was nothing magnificent but it was a small beautiful sketch though, it had taken time that she could tell, but then Hiccup never rushed his work. She was beautiful that Astrid had to admit, but the look on Hiccups face when she pulled it out said it plain as day that she was not someone he missed. He took the paper out of her hands before she had any longer to look at it, it was only A5 so he easily crippled it up with one hand and threw it in the bin next to his desk.
" Thought I threw that away too." He was then walking away from her to the side of his bed, sitting down with a heavy plop. She must have done something to get him this wound up, cheated maybe, who knows, but what she did know was that she was gonna be supportive like he was with her. So she came over, climbed on his lap, hand were around his neck and in his hair and she gave him a hug. And he happily returned it back.
" What happened with her?" She asked when pulling back, his eyes weren't hurt like she had expected, but she saw he was hiding something. His eyes reflected hers.
" Nothing, well -" he knew what he wanted to say, but he couldn't bring the words to his mouth. Cami was a touchy subject, one he rarely brought up, and to tell Astrid - he would eventually, he just couldn't bring himself to do so now.
" It's okay, you tell me in your own time" she kissed his lips again, rubbing her nose against his as they brought their foreheads together. She didn't expect him to open up just like that, she too had her secrets in the past and probably still didn't tell Hiccup everything yet. So it was only fair she didn't rush him with his. Anyway she fully trusted him now and knows that in his own time he would definitely tell her.
" It's just a load of memories I'd rather forget" he looked deflated when he even thought about her, she was just someone he wanted to forget. Suddenly she got an idea, something she would hope would work, something to take his mind off everything and just focus on them. So she took a shot with leaning over and placing a kiss on his lips more deeper than he had before, pushing him further into the covers of his bed sheets. Making him wonder what was going through his girls mind, but then she pushed off him looking down deep into his green eyes.
" You want me to replace those memories?" he loved her! He absolutely loved her! She was amazing, beautiful, stunning, just amazing Astrid. And she knew he liked her question when a smirk appeared on his face and his hands moved along her body as a way of agreeing to her proposal.
" But you already have." And he was completely Hiccup, and of course he would say something that was completely cheesy. But she loved him anyway.
" Oh I know that-" there was that surge of confidence of hers, " but I want to replace them in this room, and make it known you are officially mine" okay so she was jealous but she was gonna prove that she was the only girl he would ever need, not that he needed convincing but she wanted to convince herself.
So she locked her lips with his moving her hands down his body like he did, she was becoming very confident with knowing the ins and outs of her boyfriends body, just like he had with hers. As a hand wandered to the side of her face he messed with the back of her head, playing with her hair sending her moaning into his mouth. He loved the sounds she made, they weren't over exaggerated, they were just her reacting to how she felt, how he made her feel.
He wanted to flip them over but she she kept him grounded, he had to admit being on top was his main position, but he liked this very much, especially when she was trying to undress him. But a knock on the door stopped her, stopped them and was a reminder that they were not in his house anymore.
" For fuck sake!" He whispered under his breath while she giggled on top of him still, but before moving she made her move in leaving him with one memorable kiss.
" Guess i'll have to replace those memories another time" she was a seductive vixen, and he loved her so much.
" I'll keep you to that promise Milady" and placed a quick kiss on her nose before pushing her off him, with such disappointment. He was no stranger to sex, he's had it with women before Astrid, but no one compared to her. With Astrid it wasn't just sex, it was so much more than that. She wasn't like anyone he had met before, he just couldn't explain it.
As she climbed off him she took his hands with hers, and lifted him up with her making sure he was firmly steady on his leg. He pecked a kiss on her lips quickly before making his way to the door. They had not yet in packed, their suitcases were still by the door, securely fastened and not yet opened. Opening the door his farther was standing literally blocking the door way, surprisingly- Hiccup thought it would be his mother.
"Err son- there is someone at the front door for you" Stoick was a confident man, had to be cause he worked in politics. And you can't be stuttering when dealing with the stuff he had to deal with. But the way he said that, he looked nervous. Hiccup though didn't think anything of it, shrugging his shoulders like it was nothing.
" yeah okay" Astrid didn't know her hand was in his until he pulled her with him past his farther to the stairs that would lead him to the front door. As they made it to the main entrance of the house with his farther close on his heels, he noticed his mother was manning the door, the moment Hiccup and Astrid came into view she ran over before they took a step too far.
" she can't be seen remember?" Her whisper was ghostly, but it stayed lingering in her ears as Valka looked nervous.
" right!" He had to admit he forgot about it, ever since telling his friends and family he had been a bit lazy with keeping his relationship quiet. He kissed the side of her head quickly before heading to the door. She stayed with Stoick and Valka lingering a the side out of sight from the door.
Hiccup however came to the door, wondering who could be at the door that made his mother look so concerned. That was till he opened the door properly and came face to face with the person who came knocking at the door.
" Cami?!"
Astrid put two and two together, the way his body froze she could tell this girl called Cami was the one in the photo. The the words from when Hiccup mentioned why he went into hiding for 3 or so years, one girl went to far. She would put her bet in on that girl was Cami.
" hey Hic"
Her voice sounded sweet but from Astrid's view she could see her boyfriend's face from here, he was frozen in spot, in shock too.
" what the hell do you want ?"
Authors note: the next chapter will be set a few says after this, you'll understand why, the truth behind Cami and Hiccup will some out next chapter so stay tuned.