Chapter 15 - I Hate My Birthday!

( End of February )

5:15 was the time on his watch. Hiccup had about 45 minutes to an hour left at work before he could head home. He's had a busy day today, and was not looking forward to getting home when it's supposed to get even more hectic.

He started off the day like any other, dealing with yesterday's last minute messages, looking through his diary for when he has meetings or conferences. Then he'd get on his computer and deal with invoices, purchasing, and especially dealing with his 15.5 billion power tower investment. However his day only got interesting when his mother turned up at his office, now usually he'd be agitated with his mother turning up to his mother to his office, but he had two reasons why this was different. One: he promised Astrid just over a month ago that he'd try to not keep himself closed off from his parents even if they butted in on his personal business too much. Two: she was here today because he asked her too.

She walked over to his desk, taking a seat like this was a formality, guess it was really cause he'd asked her here for her knowledge, or her memory should he say. It was clear that Astrid parents lived on Berk before moving to the mainland, what he wanted to know was if his mother or farther knew of them while they lived here, it was a long shot since he knew if his parents had known the Hofferson's they would have said by now.

" I'm sorry Hiccup if I did, if both me and your father did then we would have said, we don't know an Sven and Ingrid Hofferson." He figured as much, it was a long shot but he thought he might as well try. He thought when he promised to look into this that it wouldn't be this difficult, but it was mainly dead ends after dead ends.

" however, the names Ingrid and Sven were and still are very common in the Archipelago, and I know a few people under those names through my years so I could do some digging, ask some friends, I might have known of Astrid's parents without even knowing" it was yet another long shot but right now he'd take anything. So he nodded, genuinely great full for all her help, and his dads. His father had offered to go though all the old info that wasn't at Haddock industries. He felt this had something to do with his family some how, no one else would have had access to documents like these, though he's not touched them, his father was certain he didn't and then there was his grandfather but with his memory loss he wouldn't bet on it.

" thanks mom"

Valka just seemed happy to help, she felt like she was involved in something with her son. With both Stoick and Gobber putting in their efforts to help Hiccup, Valka was dying to help to, anything that would mean she was spending quality time with him.

" of course darling, oh I've brought you something -" she pulled her bag upon her lap that she left on the floor before, she pulled out a little box that had been wrapped in colourful wrapping paper.

Oh yeah, it was also his birthday today which added to the hectic rotation.

" mom - thank you" he always got awkward around receiving gifts, he saw no need in them, for his birthday and things like Christmas all he wanted was time, time to make memories, something he could hold on to.

" it's nothing huge, me and your father have something for you, something special but we can't exactly give it to you in a gift box". He smirked lightly, his parents were never one for small presents. He smiled down at the box he held, lifting the lid slowly to reveal a small black plump dragon, he remembers the unraveling sewing and the small green buttons for eyes that he use to nearly chew off.

" I only made it in a craft class when you were only little, but you were so taken with it, every time you destroyed it I'd just patch it back up again. Found it in a box of your old things, I just felt it should be with you" he squeezed it in his hands, rubbing the soft fabric with his fingertips, this tiny toy use to bring him so much happiness.

" thanks mom, I love it"

The little toy was placed to the side of him on his desk next to a picture of Astrid he always get out of his draw in the morning and places it back when he goes home at night.

" I'm glad you like it, are you planning on doing anything tonight for your birthday?"

Usually in the past his birthday would be celebrated with friends or a visit to family and friends as he got older parties and celebrations did quieten down and he just did small things, he wasn't a huge fan of his birthday so he tried his best to just keep it quiet.

This year ... this year would be different. Astrid had already known that it was his birthday coming up at the end of the month and made it clear to have his diary clear later on today. Her plan was to get him drunk and head to a club to have some fun and let loose, she said once he gets out and enjoys himself he'll start to have fun and no longer mope about it being another year older. However Hiccup packed in his clubbing days just around the time he turned 25, he just wasn't into it anymore. The feeling of spewing your guts out after drinking 3x your body weight just didn't appeal to him anymore. Another reason he hated getting older, he didn't mind going out for drinks with his friends and coming back for about 12-1 in the morning, but he had to focus of his job, it was a main priority for him. Plus all that techno music and lasers and beating base wasn't what he thought was a good night out anymore. Again he hated getting older.

But even though he felt that he couldn't say no to Astrid who looked excited she was finally going to go out with her boyfriend like normal couples. She wasn't afraid of anyone noticing, when people get drunk they can barely see what shoes they were wearing never mind figure out who Hiccup really is. But this whole birthday plan did make him think about him and her, she was still in her early 20's wanting to go out and have fun, and it just made him think if he was holding her back.

It was stupid to over think such a small situation but he was ready to settle down in the next few years, he was already planning for it. What if Astrid wasn't? What if today was the final realisation that he isn't the guy she wants?

He looked up back at his mom who was patiently waiting for an answer, " I don't know, that's Astrid's domain, I'll just have to wait and see" he prayed his smile wasn't filled with a slight cringe. He didn't know what to expect tonight.

" well I'm sure whatever it is it'll be great, that girl truly knows you" she did on many things, but not in this department. So he nodded and smiled as she gathered her things on her lap ready to make her exit.

" well I hope you have a lovely birthday my darling and I'll see you in the next few days with our joint present." Giving him a quick wink before throwing her bag over her shoulder and getting up to leave.

" hey mom -" he spoke before she went, " I love you" he didn't say it much to his parents, and after the conversation with Astrid about not missing her parents and not having them there, he wasn't going to take them for granted.

" I love you too sweetheart" she looked so touched by those three simple words. She left without saying another word, probably didn't want to jinx anything, leaving him alone again in his office left to his thought. It was always the last hour of the day that dragged the most, but Hiccup didn't mind, if he was honest he wasn't looking forward to tonight, he loved spending time with Astrid but he didn't want to go to this club either.

Greta walked in a few minutes after his mother left, bright smile as always. " Mr Haddock, it's 5:30" he looked at the clock on his desk, so it was 5:32 to be exact, while he stayed on most nights till 6:00 like a lot of mangers did in the building, the rest of the employees like Greta would head on home around 5:30.

" so it is, thanks for today Greta, you can head on home" he went to go back onto his computer to pull up a spreadsheet he was looking at before his mother arrived, but he got the sense Greta was hovering.

" actually Mr Haddock I just wanted to give you this" from behind her she pulled out a bottle of red wine and a card for him, " it's nothing much but you never forget my birthday so I thought I get you a little something" she placed it on his desk quickly, him smiling the whole time.

" thank you, I'm sure Astrid would like it very much" Greta was one of the few people who knew about Astrid, more or less because she had too, with Astrid popping in back and forth it just seemed wise to tell her about his girlfriend. However Greta is a sweet lady and just like Luna promised to take the secret to the grave if she had to. He was her boss after all.

" well I'm glad you like it, happy birthday, and can I just say you and Astrid are well suited" hearing it from someone who wasn't family was nice, he knew when looking they were a well suited couple, but by the way Greta had said it he knew she meant personally compatible. But when you are well suited together it means there is a lot of compromise, maybe he was looking at it all wrong, what's one night, it's not like she dragging him out all hours every night distracting him from work. Maybe all he needed was to compromise for today, at the end of it he was still spending time with his gorgeous girl, and that's all he could as for on his birthday.

" thank you Greta, see you tomorrow" she said her food byes and left him be, left him staring at the picture of her on his desk, she's compromised so much with him and his job and his family name, and all she asks for is to keep their relationship quiet till she is no longer a student. He could compromise tonight, it was only his 28th and honestly it was one night, he could do it.

Xx

He pulled up outside his front doors under his pergola seeing the lights within, he text Astrid before he left saying he was coming home and she said she was already there. He'd given her keys way back, thought it was time since he didn't mind her being at his house even if he wasn't there. What was his was now hers he kept telling her.

As he climbed out his black Audi sports, pulling his brief case over his shoulder with the shoulder strap, he wondered what exactly she had planned for tonight and what the hell he was getting himself into. He grabbed the bottle of wine from the passenger seat and Greta's card, and then locked his car with a press of a button.

When he walked in there was silence, his house is usually full of noise and chaos with the amount of people he had to run it. But this time it was just quiet, with a scent of burning in the air, before he had time to think about it Toothless came out from a side hallway rubbing himself against his parted legs for some kind of affection, " hi bud" giving him a rub behind the ear lovingly. This silence was worrying him, his house was usually filled with people after a long day at work, Terri would be in the kitchen making him something nice and easy to eat after a stressful day. Luna would be bossing the rest of her staff to make sure all rooms had been done and check over. But there was nothing, just that burning smell.

" hello?" He walked on through the house, headed straight under his double staircase, straight to the bifold doors at the back, to his left he heard a voice coming from the entrance of his kitchen.

" in here" he expected when knowing Astrid was here that she'd be getting ready for wherever she was taking him this evening. But as he walked into his kitchen he saw her dishing out some food into some serving bowls and holding his fancy spoons in her hand.

" what's going on here?" This was not what he was expecting when coming home.

" well, okay the whole party club idea was just a hoax to throw you off what I was really planning" he nearly screamed the word 'yes!' But he was too confused with what exactly was going on to even realise what she just said.

" and what exactly are you planning?" The answer was probably obvious but he didn't want to jump the ahead of himself, knowing Astrid. She looked stressed like she was in the middle of something, but what he didn't know.

" at first I planned on cooking you a chicken dinner -" she walked over to the oven pulling out three trays that looked to be filled with coloured charcoal, " but I burned the chicken, potatoes and vegetables" taking a step closer Hiccup realised this was the burnt charcoal smell that hit him first thing when he walked through the door. Typical Astrid though, there was a reason he was the cook in the relationship.

" soooo - I ordered in from the Black Dragon -" that's what she was dishing up in serving bowls with two plates piled up and knifes and folks in a pile ready to pick up and move to wherever. " it's not perfect I know, everything that could have gone wrong did, I just - mmupf" he kissed her, he walked over, smirk on his face and cupped her face with his hands and kissed her.

This whole relationship thing was hard work, Astrid thought everything had to be perfect, she knew throwing him off course with the whole club idea would have been perfect for when he walked in after a long day at work to a home cooked meal. But the gods had another idea for her, she burnt everything, and her last resort was ordering from Hiccups favourite restaurant, serving it in serving bowls and laying the dinning room table for him before he got home. But obviously by the looks of it he caught her running a little behind, the table half set in the other room and her in the kitchen running around like a headless chicken.

" this is perfect, you are perfect" at least she did one thing right. She listened, knowing he wasn't one for a party, she listened and gave him something that was more his style.

" really? Cause I was thinking if it wasn't I'd have to make up for it by stripping off my clothes" she smiled and shrugged when his face dropped.

" woah woah, now there is no one saying you still can't do that" his arms wrapped back around her, listening to her laughter as she hugged him back. " that's what I thought" her whisper was electrifying down his ear, made him full nervously when her lips sucked on his left earlobe, slowly dragging it through her lips until she pulled back and smiled at him.

" now shall I serve?" He looked down at the ordered food within bags, ready to go in the fancy serving bowls. He had to admit he'd take the Black Dragon's takeaway over any chicken dinner any day, but it was the thought that counted, even if it was burnt to dust.

" you may Milady, can I help?" She was already dishing out the container food into a clear serving bowl.

" sure if you insist" he came up behind her wrapping his arms around her waist from behind her while her hands were busy. He rubbed his hips against her, knowing exactly what he was doing as his brought his lips down to her ear and whispered softly.

" oh I most certainly insist" she could feel his fingers rubbing her skin from under the hem of her top, someone was hinting for a birthday treat...

Xx

When you think of the word love, your mind does drift to the obvious, fairly tale stories of true loves first kiss, the Valentine's expectation of roses that are red and lingerie that makes your jaw drop. Love is apparently one of the most strongest feelings you can have, it's strong and passionate, that's why when you love someone the bond you have is so unbelievable.

But before this, before her, Hiccup had never had that kind of feeling before. He had been taught by his parents what family love was, and how painful it will be when one day you lose that love. But then his mother had taught him that he will once experience a love so strong that his heart can't contain how much love he'd have for this one person or persons. And she wasn't taking about passionate love.

It wasn't a a lie that his mother had wished for him to have children, one day to carry on the Haddock line, and Hiccup didn't hate the idea of it. He just wished it wasn't pushed on him.

But his mother had wished it, and had stated that it would be a love like no other. That was the kind of love that was most powerful. But he had never felt that before. All he had felt was what he was feeling now.

He loved to watch her sleep, Astrid was curled up on his bare chest as the two lay nude on his couch again. For some one who loved to claim she hated his couch for being so comfy, she had no objections when they stubbled down onto the cushions tearing of the clothes that covered their bodies. But he loved this bit, when she lay fast asleep slightly whimpering as she dreamed, he would take time to just admire her. The way her hand curled on his flat chest, flinching slightly whenever she was dreaming, that followed with a twitch of her nose. She was what he called unintentionally beautiful, stunning in her own right, there was not one flaw he could find, cause she didn't have any.

He knew he was slightly bias though, he loved her as a person, loved her beautiful personality so of course that just made her more sexy and stunning to him anyway, but it was no secret she was a gorgeous woman. But he was mesmerised by how peaceful she looked, she was ultimately at peace right now, no worries or concern for the future, just still in time.

It was often now that doubt would flood his mind, when he was left alone to wonder... would she be happy with someone else? It was weird to think about it like that but right now he cared more about her happiness than his own. And he'd often doubt if he was really the man she deserved, he knew she loved him, he didn't doubt that for a second, but because of that she is willing to give up everything to be with him. Cause being with a Haddock was like selling your soul to the Royal family of Berk basically, and it came with a lot of baggage.

Her head moved slightly bringing him back into reality, it followed with a small moan as she dragged herself out of her little slumber. Her head was fuzzy and her body felt like jelly, numb whenever she moved. She moved her head to look upwards, immediately being greeted by Hiccups green eyes, it had been obvious he was awake before her, and it was obvious he hadn't take his eyes off her. " hey sleepyhead" a warm sleepy smile appeared on her face as he greeted her with not only a cheeky smile himself but a slowly rub along her bare back, she didn't know whether that was helping her wake up or sending he off to sleep again.

" hey, did you enjoy your birthday?" Astrid's hands started to raise up along his chest as she spoke, the slotted themselves in either side of his head, tugging on strands of his hair like she loved to do.

" humm, you did exceedingly well Milady" he brushed his lips across hers, her soft skin pressed against his. This to him was the closest he was going to feel to true love right now, he didn't need anything else. Just her.

" well I'm glad I exceeded your expectations, I really had you going there for a moment," she was meaning when she had him convinced she was going to get him so drunk that he wouldn't be able to feel his head in the morning. " finally got you back for valentines" her laughter was contagious when ever she laughed he couldn't help but laugh too.

" yeah I guess you did" everything with her was like a game, if he got her by surprise, which often she liked since it kept her on her toes, she'd have to get him back. Whether it was just as good or even better, but he loved her for that, she wouldn't be Astrid if she didn't try to make everything a little game.

" can I give you your present now?" She got up excitedly on all fours over him, her giddiness was shown through her smile as she looked down on him.

" more lace?" He meant the underwear she promised to parade around in, all those weeks ago when she personally asked him what he wanted for his birthday. He simply said he didn't want anything cause he had her, but her in nothing but lace underwear would be appreciated too.

" no, a proper present" she slapped his arm playfully before getting up off the sofa with one of the loose sheets that was covering them wrapped around her. She headed to the direction of the draws beside the tv in his living room, literally across from them.

" I told you I don't need any presents, I don't need you spending anything on me" she had already pulled what was hiding in his draw out and held it in her hands while he spoke. It was a smallish square box, leather with how it shined in the light, she still held a huge smile on her face when she came prancing back to him.

" oh hush, what kind of girlfriend would I be if I hadn't even tried to find you something" he sat up slight on the sofa, feeling her plop herself next to him eagerly. She practically threw the present at him, excited for him to open it. " anyway it's not much but ... well you'll see"

Before opening the box he cupped her cheek with one hand and pulled her in for a sweet kissing, feeling her hum against him. " thank you" he flicked the lid up with his thumb revealing two sliver cuff links with the letters H.H.H engraved on them both. They shined so bright he could see his full reflection.

" I know you have loads of cuff links probably, all designer too but I thought whenever you were away on business again that you could take them and they'd remind you of me -" he kissed her again, sorta out of the blue, but that didn't stop her kissing him back making it deeper. When he pulled back Astrid could tell her was gleaming within by just looking into his eyes.

" thank you, I love them" she was pleased of course, huge smile placed back on her face. She watched as he shut the lid again, " however -" he reached over and placed the box of his coffee table before turning back to her, " don't ever think -" he was now climbing on top of her again, smirks reflecting each other's. " that I need something to remember you, you Milady are the first thought in my head, the last before I go to bed, and even fill my dreams. I can't forget you" She laughed into the space surrounding them as his lips tickled her skin.

" good, I'm glad we got that covered then" she let him slip between her hips again, his lips made her skin tingle when he trailed kisses up her neck to her jaw. Astrid's hands came up to grab his shoulders, her fingernails scraped over his skin slowly when she felt Hiccups hands squeezing her waist and hips.

" hey Astrid?" His hips moved slightly while his lips hovered around her cheek, she was still caught up in her own pleasure before focusing on him again. His eyes were clouded with confusion and questions, she could tell when a hand raised up from her hip to streak the side of her face with a finger. His eyes were searching hers for some kind of answer.

" Hiccup what's wrong?" her hand found his at the side of her face, lacing her fingers with his.

" do you ever regret that you chose me? Someone who has a lot of burden to their name? I mean I'm not exactly in my young 20s anymore, I'm looking at settling down with you Astrid, have a nice and easy life. Are you sure you want that?" She still lay sprawled over his chest, her eyes were curious as she looked him in his green eyes.

He knew then he should have never brought this up, for one he was ruining the mood, and for another now he was definitely making her think about if he was the man she wanted to be with, great!

He felt her hand stroke through his hair again, " firstly I never regret choosing you, I love you! But most of all I don't care what comes with your name, I love you for you, my goofy, sexy, secret boyfriend! And I want you, no matter what the cost " she climbed up on top straddling his hips seductively. A smirk appeared on his face as his hands raised up her bare thighs to her hips, he moved slow, dragging his fingers along her skin setting it aflame.

" and you're sure?" He watched as she moved down toward him slowly, her hair tickling his bare shoulders slightly as she leaned down.

" you trying to get rid of me Haddock?" A finger dragged along his collar bone and down his chest. The feeling tickled his skin across his nipple and down his abdomen. The feeling sent his head backwards, when people said he was completely wrapped around her finger he would have to agree he was. But then when you have a firecracker like Astrid who wouldn't be completely whipped.

" not a chance, I'd be a fool to let you go - I just want you to be happy, I love you and I finally realised how much," when looking in his eyes Astrid knew Hiccup meant business when talking about this, he was so serious in every word he said. " I love you so much that I want you to be so happy - even if that's not with me."

Her heart fell, she knew where he was coming from, all she wanted was for him to be happy, and prayed that she was the person that made him happy the most. He wanted that for her too, happiness, after the fucked up lives they have both had in their own way they believed they deserved that at least.

" it is you Hiccup, I'm so so happy with you" she kissed him harder to only show how sure she was, looking back now she didn't know what life without Hiccup would be like, and even though she had lived that life she never wanted to go back, she didn't want to live without Hiccup Haddock. And she tried to show that throughout her actions now, holding onto the back of his neck, fingers untwined in his hair tightly, not letting go as she kissed his harder.

Until he pulled back, didn't go without noticing his cheeky Hiccup smirk when she did. " okay good," his arms snaked tightly around her waist tightly, squeezing her to his bare naked chest. " because selfishly I never want to let you go"

Instant relief hit the two of them as they moulded into hot sweaty pleasure, slipping between each other hips and moaning into the night while staying curled up on his comfy sofa.