Well, we have crossed the 100 faves mark, as well as over 160 follows. I would like to tell you that this much anticipated and extra long chapter is in celebration, but honestly it has been written for months. 11K words in this bad boy. Whew...
DeathBerryHime: I almost feel like this chapter was somehow written just for you. Lol
CB73: That sums it up very well, but at least this black pot came back while the kettle stayed away. Even if it was only to save Astrid.
Guest 1: I'm sure that time will come, but not yet. I doubt he could hide from them all forever.
Guest 2: Thanks for the praise. I'm glad you liked it. As for the bit about the fight for Astrid's hand, I have something very special arranged for overcoming that little obstacle... *insert more evil laughs*
Rainnnn: I know what you mean. My prof in college used to always save the worst assignments just to wreck our long weekends with them, but you made it. Lol. So many challenges now facing Hiccup. He can't run from Astrid any longer, he has to face his whole tribe while trying to hide in plain sight, and it truly is frowned upon to simply murder heirs. Poor Snotlout. He'd better watch his step. Hiccup's back!
_
When they had reached the island, the sight of the pre-assembled funerary vessels was a sobering one for Hiccup. As the Hooligans had prepared to attack the nest, though they may have been hoping for victory, they had also been expecting death to return home with them. This knowledge brought an unexpected flash of emotions and memories right along with it. If they had not reached Dragon Island in time, how many of the people he had known most of his life would now be dead? How many already were, despite their intervention?
The fallen were given their proper rights and send off that evening. Thankfully there were not as many as he had feared. As honoured guests and heroes, Hiccup and Ilweran had been permitted to join the villagers on the cliffs overlooking the docks while the small wooden ships were set adrift far below. The Riders and their dragons all offering respect and condolences for those who had been lost, as they watched the pyre fires burn. The dark waters lapping at the symbolic vessels while the gentle waves reflected the orange light. Calling the Valkyries down to carry these worthy souls to dine with Odin in Valhalla. Of course Hiccup knew that this was not really the case. Everyone went to Niflheim. They just didn't know it yet.
These sad tidings were followed by a gathering in the Mead Hall to discuss the events of the raid. Hiccup excusing himself shortly after the initial phase of this meeting. Muttering a quiet apology to Ilweran as he left the poor man to answer the villagers' questions on his own. Ilweran had just waved him off with an eye roll of understanding before turning back to Stoick. Hiccup couldn't help feeling a little bad for ditching his friend, but he had just never had much patience for sitting through these preliminary talks. Even when he was supposed to be training to take over as chief some day.
It wasn't like anything important ever happened at them anyways. It was mostly just a time to repeatedly share dramatic and often embellished accounts of what had transpired. Hiccup had no desire to hear of his deeds, or field the attentions and admirations of both male and female Vikings alike. This glorified story time always preceding what felt like endless questions about trivial issues that only served to feed the village gossip. Any real discussions would not start until the following day. After they celebrated the warriors return to Valhalla tonight, that is. Viking funerals were not sad affairs. Especially when those that were being honoured had fallen in battle.
Hiccup was also enjoying his current anonymity. If he spent too long standing in the great hall answering questions someone was bound to recognize his voice. As he had raced to save Astrid, it hadn't really occurred to Hiccup what might happen after he and Toothless got to the nest. Although, even if he had taken the time to wonder, it was unlikely that this possibility would have made the list. The Hooligans despised everything about dragons! After years of running, who would've thought that Hiccup and his night fury might now have to face his whole tribe and possibly work in close proximity to them. Now it looked like he would be forced to keep up this masked charade if he wanted to avoid the uncomfortable reunion and necessary lies.
So far Hiccup had done pretty well controlling his tone and actions. Carefully maintaining the image of a polite and diplomatic stranger. Though he had seen Gothi shooting him speculative glances during the funerary rights, and her expression alone had made Hiccup almost certain that the old wise woman knew who he really was. Her eventual gentle smile and nod in his direction had confirmed this, but so far she was keeping it to herself. It hadn't really surprised Hiccup that she had figured him out, since nothing got by that woman. Still, he had managed to keep his cool around everyone else.
Well, except for when Snotlout had dropped his bombshell. Politely, yet very clearly, staking his claim on the beautiful blonde long before the mysterious riders could get any ideas. That little surprise had just about ruined Hiccup's plans to keep his distance. Both physically and emotionally. Thankfully Toothless had felt Hiccup losing control and had gently reminded him to calm down before he could do something really stupid, like killing his own cousin in front of the whole village. Hopefully no one had realized that it was him growling. Though they would all likely assume that it was one of the two dragons, anyways. Humans couldn't growl like that.
Honestly, Hiccup had been startlingly close to ending the man. Probably would have too, if not for Toothless. It was just that the vivid fantasies running through Snot's head, along with his smug-faced leer, had already been pushing Hiccup dangerously close to his limits. The sight of Snot manhandling the only woman Hiccup had ever loved, well that had very nearly shoved him over it. The knowledge that Snotlout would likely have convinced his father to buy Astrid, as if she was some sort of prized mare, was almost more than Hiccup could take. She was not livestock that could be purchased and controlled. She was a goddess that deserved to choose her own husband.
Astrid would never have agreed to marry Snotlout if she had any other choice. The look of rage and disgust on her face as Snotlout held her made that perfectly clear, and had made Hiccup's gut ache as he longed to protect her. Needing to reach out and take her. Swipe her right out from under his obnoxious cousin's greedy hands. His nerves and self-restraint stretching as taut as his bow string, while he strongly considered putting both blades through the idiot's throat right there in the square.
It really shouldn't have been that much of a shock though, Hiccup chided himself. Astrid was 24-years-old now and her family had to be getting desperate. Even a fool could see that Astrid didn't approve of the match, but that didn't always matter. Many marriages were arranged long before either of the affected parties had been consulted. Besides, wasn't this exactly what Hiccup had been hoping for when he had cut all ties to her? Could he truly say that it would be any easier to bear if she was happy about it? It would probably be worse.
Still, it was a strange and uncomfortable place to be in though. He had to acknowledge that. Congratulating Snotlout as if they were barely acquaintances. All the while remembering that he was intimately familiar with the man's future wife. Admittedly still teetering on the edge of killing his cousin instead of saluting him. It may have been just a little vindictive of him to refer to Astrid as a 'maiden', but he couldn't help himself.
Heading back towards the square, Hiccup found Toothless curled up for a nap. Prodding his brother awake, he asked, "You too tired to go for another flight bud? I promise that we will not have to rescue any fair maidens this time."
Grumbling, Toothless raised his head. "Any other fair maidens can bloody well save themselves for the rest of the night." Then he stood up and shook himself off. Laughing out loud, Hiccup leapt onto his brother's back. With a solid push of wings, they were back in the air. Now just gliding and weaving through the clouds in gentle loops to bide their time. Trying to figure out what they were going to do now. They couldn't stay in the village of course, but Hiccup supposed they probably should still stay on the island.
Eventually the blood-brothers ended up right back at that same familiar cove. Though the tranquil place seemed a heck of a lot smaller than Hiccup remembered. Looking around at the protective wall of rock, he realized that was probably only because Toothless was now such an enormous beast. Everything else still looked the exact same. It was only the brothers that had changed.
With a sigh of resignation, Hiccup started setting up his meagre excuse of a camp, just like the last time he was here. Except, unlike last time, he couldn't hope for a visit from Astrid. She was promised to someone else now, but it wouldn't matter either way. There was no future for the two of them. There couldn't be.
He had deliberately avoided any contact with her for this reason. Hiccup knew perfectly well that they could never be together, so he had tried to make a clean break of it. Hoping that with his continued absence, Astrid would get mad at him and then move on with her life. Maybe even start a family. So why had just the sight of her today been enough to viciously rip the scabs off of all the old wounds? And here he'd been so sure that they were almost completely healed...
After a quick plunge in the freezing pool to clean off, Hiccup dried himself with magic. Then quickly cleaned his clothes of blood and the smell of dragon fire. Almost wishing that he had thought to bring something else aside from armour with him, but he never fathomed he'd need a change of clothes. Ah well… Guess he would just have to make due, and at least Ilweran was in the exact same predicament.
After putting his armour and the ridiculous cloak back on, Hiccup strapped his swords in place. Then he checked his reflection in the smooth surface of the pond. His exotic features were safely hidden by the illusions built into his ring, but even disguised as a human Hiccup knew that he was still nearly unrecognizable. The small boy from the forge that they all remembered had been gone for years. In his place was a menacing dark warrior that was a complete stranger to them.
None of them could have ever imagined what Hiccup the Useless would become after he left Berk. They probably had never even bothered to wonder. Likely picturing the same runty nobody, if they happened to think of him at all. Only Astrid knew that the ruggedly handsome human face under the mask was the one he had grown into. Though it was finally perfectly matched by his newly imposing stature.
Standing just over seven feet tall now, with broad shoulders and a decently muscular frame, Hiccup knew that he looked like one of the heroes from their Eddas. Ilweran did as well. It was just the way of the elves. Once again, Hiccup and Toothless had become a perfectly matched set. Leaving no distinguishable trace behind of the gentle and weak whipping-boy that Hiccup used to be ten years ago. Except for his eyes, of course. The bright emerald green was not a common colour in any realm.
Shooting a glance at the helmet, Hiccup wondered if he would be able to get away with not wearing it all the time. Did anyone here know him well enough, or even care enough, to recognize him by what small remnants lingered? A few of them might, so he still needed to be careful. It was probably safe enough to forgo the full face helmet though, so he instead removed a small half mask from the saddle bag. It was usually just used to cover his mouth and nose in the dusty lands of Vanaheim or the choking ice of Jotunheim. Though it would likely work equally well as an identity shield here in Midgard.
Hiccup actually didn't mind the mask that much. As a standard piece of Order garb, it had just been a plain black like his cloak when he'd first received it. Never content to blend in, of course Hiccup had since personalized it. In keeping with his terrifying Shadow Demon image, he had decorated the thing with a design of a wide red mouth and vicious teeth frozen in a feral grin. Giving the once boring black mask a distinct air of malevolence that tended to make all races uncomfortable.
Slipping the mask on as he pulled the hood of the cloak over his head, Hiccup inspected his appearance in the pond once more. He had to admit, the effect was actually pretty good. The grinning mask along with the hood pulled low over his eyes concealed his face well enough. Add to this the hilts of his twin swords sticking up above his shoulders, and it gave him the overall appearance of someone that was not to be trifled with. His exterior once again reflecting the monster that lurked within.
Sighing, Hiccup rose from his spot on the edge of the pond. Toothless bounding to his side in an instant and voicing his approval of Hiccup's appearance. Toothless loved the mask. He enjoyed the way people shied away from Hiccup in it, the same way they shied away from the night fury. They were both dangerous warriors that should be feared, according to Toothless. The silly dragon had always been unreasonably proud of his two-legged blood brother.
Chuckling, Hiccup reached up to scratch the ridiculous reptile under the chin as he asked, "shall we get this night over with bud? I suppose they'll have moved from meeting to feast by now. Though the only real difference between the two is the addition of copious amounts of mead," he added with an eye roll. Toothless shook his large head with a disgusted snort that made Hiccup laugh out loud. Then the two of them were taking off out of the cove again. Doing a few extra loops in the air just to draw out the short trip as long as possible.
Hiccup supposed he could have just walked or ran back to the village, but even after all these years, Toothless still never liked leaving his rider alone for very long. Still grumbling to each other, the brothers eventually landed back in the village to find most of the homes markedly empty. Leaving the square dark in the gathering night. With one more sigh, he scratched Toothless' chin again before forcing himself to walk towards the Hall and climb the stairs. His dragon brother curling up for a nap on the grass below.
Lucky bastard, Hiccup thought grouchily, and heard Toothless chuckle behind him. Bracing himself, he pushed open the huge doors. Almost laughing out loud at how much more difficult the task used to be when he had been a child here. Then the warmth and aroma of food hit him. The smell of roasted meat hanging heavy in the air, and his stomach turned in protest.
Stifling a groan, Hiccup glanced towards the source. A heavily leaden table across the room that was unlikely to hold much of anything in the way of desirable food for him. Granted he could always go without eating, but a meal would provide a nice, quick boost to his depleted reserves. Ah well, Hiccup supposed it would be rude to scorn all of the food after the ladies had worked so hard to prepare it on short notice. Might as well try to find something.
Clasping his hands behind his back to give him an air of confident nonchalance, Hiccup strolled through the noisy Vikings on his way to the banquet table. Feeling eyes and minds regarding him curiously as he passed, but the culprits quickly averted their gaze as soon as he turned his masked and hooded face towards them. Small children scampering out of his way as they peered up at him. Reaching the table, Hiccup eyed the haunches of meat in distaste before contemplating a loaf of bread with yak butter. Then he simply grabbed an apple from a side plate instead.
After having not eaten meat for almost five years, the idea of it made Hiccup slightly sick now. Though there had been a brief period after his transformation that he had been worried his tastes would change again. As his teeth had strengthened and sharpened, the canines becoming more exaggerated, he had waited anxiously for the moment that he would start craving raw meat. Thankfully, it never came. Hiccup was still more than happy with the diet of the elves. Which was good, since the idea of tearing animals apart with his teeth was one that he found rather repulsive.
Escaping to a dark corner now, Hiccup leant his tall frame against a pillar and pulled his mask down to his chin. Blending easily into the shadows and eating his meagre dinner while he quietly watched the people he had grown up with. He had changed so much over the past ten years that it surprised him just how little the village had. Sure the kids were all older now. Some even with little ones of their own. Many of the adults, including his father, now sporting grey streaks in their hair.
Everything else though was much the same as if he had left yesterday. The same stories being swapped by the same rowdy Vikings. Any time now Gobber would probably start singing. Hiccup cringed slightly at the thought, despite his fond memories of the blacksmith. Perhaps he would make an effort to at least visit the crazy old man while he was here. Gobber had always been more of a father to him than his own. Then again, Gobber was usually terrible at keeping secrets, so maybe not…
*
After a very hurried wash, Astrid had been forced to join her family at the Hall to sit through the entire meeting. Listening to the council relay the battle with the Red Death repeatedly as the villagers, male and female alike, practically smothered the white rider with admiration. She was even sure that she had heard a rasping dragon chuckle coming from outside the hall at one point. The thought making her giggle despite her somewhat sulky mood.
The man, Ilweran as he had introduced himself, was doing his best to steer clear of the villagers' grabbing hands. Not an easy thing, given how packed the Hall was. No wonder Hiccup left, Astrid found herself thinking blandly, as the women near her sat and whispered about the two mysterious men. Acting like a bunch of swooning young maidens as they eyed Ilweran up like he was a tasty haunch of meat they were preparing to divvy up between them. It was ridiculous.
Now that the feast had started though, Astrid could finally relax slightly. Out of the spotlight, and sitting at a table with her friends instead as she picked uninterestedly at her food. She wasn't really hungry, but her mother had filled a plate for her anyways and forced her to eat something. Her brothers, on the other hand, were busy gorging themselves so fast it was almost shameful. Still, they deserved this feast more than most. The Hofferson clan had certainly lived up to their "Fearless" reputation on that beach.
Astrid had been chatting idly with Ruffnut for the last few minutes, until Hiccup's late entrance into the Hall distracted her attention that is. Apparently she was not even close to the only one that noticed him though. Right away Fishlegs and Tuffnut started debating who he might be and why he hadn't stayed for the meeting when his friend had. Snotlout leaned back in his seat and scowled at the dark rider instead. "He looks like a demon from Helheim," he grumbled moodily. "Pity the Red Death didn't eat them both."
Clearly Snotlout still wasn't over the way the riders had shown up and taken charge at the nest. Easily reading his jealousy, Ruff let a wicked grin spread across her face. "Pity for you maybe," she teased. Not bothering to keep her voice down in the slightest. "Maybe he is a monster, but who cares? That just makes him sexy AND dangerous, which also happen to be two of my favourite things." Trying hard not to look at her friend, Astrid simply took a huge bite of bread in an effort to conceal her laughter at Snot's expression.
The group of mothers at the next table were not so adverse to showing their humour however. All of them laughing and shouting their concurrence at the female twin's crass statement, and Ruff grinned at them cheekily. Pretending to fan herself now as she gave Astrid a mischievous wink. "Whew, is it hot in here, or is it just him? I mean, just looking at him is making me horny as Hel. Wouldn't you agree, Astrid?"
Well that caused Astrid to start choking unattractively on her mouthful of bread while Fishlegs made an undignified sound of shocked protest. Tuff just started laughing as he and Ruff bumped fists together. It had worked exactly as Ruff had hoped. Snotlout was turning puce even as he scoffed at her words. "Shut up Ruffnut," he muttered sulkily. "That guy's nothing but a string bean in fancy clothes."
Even as she chuckled at Scott's bad tempered words, Astrid had to admit that Ruff had a point. Hiccup couldn't look less like a string bean if he tried. He really was sexy. Undeniably so. Just watching the way he moved through the crowd with an almost feline grace was kindling the startling heat of desire inside her. The ache of need flaring up right alongside her already simmering fury at him.
His frightening mask and long black cloak with the hood pulled up were intimidating enough already. Add on the rippling muscles clad in clinging black leather, with swords and knives strapped on, and he did look dangerous. The type of dangerous that bewitches the mind and ensnares the senses. Making you long to learn more about this person and perhaps tame them, if you can. In short, the type of dangerous that most women find irresistible.
As a matter of fact, Astrid noticed that many of the women in the hall were still eyeing him speculatively and whispering about him. The other rider too, though neither of them had shown any reciprocating interest. It wasn't really surprising, though. Both of them looked like gods in the flesh. All beautifully toned muscle under skin tight armour. Every line and ridge accentuated and put on display. It was no wonder the women were being driven to distraction.
Despite her best efforts, Astrid soon found herself covertly watching him too as he leaned against a far pillar, eating an apple and studying the crowd. She needed to talk to him, but there was no chance of that in this packed room. Then she saw him wave at someone across the hall and turned to find the other rider standing near Stoick and Gobber at the head table. Pulling his mask back up his face, Hiccup pushed off from the pillar and wound his way through the tables to join the other man. The two of them side-by-side made an impressive sight. Standing tall and powerfully lean in their cloaks of white and black; they seemed to command respect without even trying.
The pair conversed with the chief for a while. Hiccup reaching out to accept Stoick and Gobber's proffered handshakes. Astrid noticed that there was a black ring glinting on the middle finger of his right hand. Then she watched as Hiccup placed one hand briefly on his friend's shoulder and nodded to the chief before excusing himself again. Escaping just as quickly as he had before the meeting.
As she allowed her gaze to follow his path to the door, she suddenly felt Snotlout's arm around her shoulders. She tried to shake it off, but he leaned into her and spoke in a low voice. "Why are you watching that stranger so closely? Could it be that you find him as attractive as Ruffnut does? Are you fantasizing about running off after him like the other women are? Don't forget yourself. We are promised and will be married soon."
She could smell the mead on his breath and was unsure if he realized his words sounded a lot like a threat. "I would hate for my future wife to lose her maidenhead before the wedding night, just because she got too close to some brute," he added rudely. "Your body is supposed to be mine. I don't trust that man. Stay away from him." He leaned away from her again, but left his arm draped over her shoulder now in a blatant sign of ownership.
Astrid was torn between the urges to punch his lights out and laugh out loud at his statement. If only he knew what his future wife had done with her maidenhead. She would never have willingly given it to Snotlout anyways of course, but that point was moot. Her innocence was already long gone. Given to the very man he was ordering her to stay away from, and through her own choices too. Astrid Hofferson was no one's property.
Also, how dare he believe she would throw herself into the arms of a stranger. What kind of woman did he take her for?! Angered by his audacity and disgusted by his touch, Astrid threw Snotlout's arm roughly away from her. Perhaps a little too roughly. Ruff and Tuff broke into hysterics as the force of her shove knocked Snotlout right off the bench.
She watched him roll around, dazed and drunk on the floor for a moment as she felt a satisfied smirk grow on her face. Then, getting to her feet, Astrid excused herself abruptly and began to make her own way out of the hall. Quickly escaping this scene that would be sure to bring her father's anger down on her head. Barely resisting the urge to 'accidentally' kick Snotlout on the way past. The square outside was already empty by the time she reached it, but she was pretty sure she knew where to find the illusive man she sought.
*
It had been weird to talk to his father as if they were strangers, Hiccup mused to himself. Making his way nimbly back through the drunken crowd towards the doors. Ilweran had introduced him to Stoick and Gobber as Scáth Rothaí and they had greeted him politely. Extending their hands in friendship despite his strange appearance. He was glad that Ilweran was still wearing his own cloak though, as Hiccup really didn't want to appear rude by refusing to remove his.
As the chief, Stoick had kindly offered them lodgings in his own home. Ilweran had graciously accepted, but Hiccup had of course been forced to politely refuse. Using the excuse that his dragon would be uncomfortable sleeping separately from him. It was not even a complete lie, for a change. He explained that they had found a place to camp just outside of the village and it would do well enough. Then he had excused himself, claiming exhaustion, and started to leave the hall.
Just before he was completely able to escape, he saw Snotlout throw a protective arm around Astrid and whisper something in her ear. Glaring in the Dark Rider's direction the whole time. Growling under his breath at the words Snotlout thought he couldn't hear, Hiccup pushed through the doors. Taking the steps three at a time before heading off between the houses on foot. Flying was too fast and he needed time to burn off some steam. Not that walking was that much slower for him now, really.
After telling Toothless to meet him at their camp when he felt like it, Hiccup took to the surprisingly familiar path to the cove instead. His feet easily carrying him there despite the years away. As he stomped through the dark forest, Hiccup silently raged about that display. Did Snot honestly think that the Riders, who had just saved everyone's lives, would turn around and start attacking women at the first opportunity? Did he seriously think that Astrid was naive and gentle enough to let them? Clearly Snotlout did not know his bride-to-be very well. She could take care of herself.
Hiccup had only been back at his camp for a short time when he heard footsteps approaching. With a quick flick of his wrists he was instantly holding a thin throwing blade in each hand. Reaching out with his mind at the same moment. Feeling only the soft brush of Astrid's presence, he felt himself relax slightly. Allowing the stilettos to retract smoothly back into their sheaths.
He knew this was coming of course, but for the first time since he was an awkward teenage boy, Hiccup didn't know what to say to her. Surely their relationship would not be the easy friendship it had been before that night. Not after he had cut her so deeply. Nor could it remain as what it had become since then. She was promised to another man. It would be very, very wrong to touch her now.
Not that Hiccup honestly gave a shit about Snotlout's ridiculous claim on her. If it was simply about that, he would be doing everything he could to get Astrid naked. That particular fantasy had haunted him for the last five years, after all. No, this was about much more than her arranged betrothal. Hiccup had been with betrothed and married women before now without suffering any remorse from it. This however, was much worse than bedding the nobleman's wives in Rome, because it was Astrid and he did care for her.
He needed to let her go so that she could make her own life. At the same time, the sight of Snotlout touching her had made him want to cut his cousin's hands off. The thought of that fool taking her body made Hiccup want to cut off something that Snot was likely even more attached to. He didn't want to give her away, but he had to. She did not belong to him, and she never could now. He was too late, even if he had been able to stay in Midgard.
He was still struggling with his internal dilemma when she emerged from the hidden cleft in the rock. Astrid seeming to hesitate as well. She was shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot and staring at the ground, even as her mind shouted curses at him. When she finally did look up though it was with a strange, searching look as her thoughts quickly altered course. She had been angry at first which was good, but now her rage fuelled desires were beginning to lead her down a much more dangerous path. His own special brand of magic singing to her body, whether either of them wanted it to or not. Passion and anger were far too close for their own good.
This was exactly what Hiccup had been trying to avoid. He should run away now, before he let himself do something stupid. Again. For some reason he couldn't seem to make his feet move, though. Just her nearness was clouding his brain. Numbing his common sense as she started walking closer to peer up into his concealed face. Then, she promptly brought one fist up and punched him hard in the shoulder. Putting all the anger of the past five years behind it, and even his elven body felt the blow.
She was coming around for another when Hiccup quickly raised a hand to block it. "What the fuck Hiccup..." Astrid started when his fingers wrapped gently around her tiny wrist, but he silenced her with a finger over her lips. Her beautiful blue eyes going wide with surprise and shocked fury. If he was ever going to have a chance to talk, it was in this one brief moment of frozen silence before she started screaming at him.
Figuring he deserved to have his ass kicked, Hiccup knew that he wouldn't defend himself if she simply chose to keep swinging. Thankfully she had left her axe at home rather than bring it to the feast. Though that didn't make her any less capable of killing him. It would just make it slower and more painful. He just wanted to get the words out before she beat him senseless. That, and he wanted to make his intentions clear right at the start.
At the look of startled rage on her face, he released her hand and lips. Moving to rub his arm instead, he gave her an apologetic smile she wouldn't see. "Please, just let me speak before you start hitting me," he hurried to say. "And yes, I know full well that I deserve even more than that. Honestly, I owe you so much more than an apology. It has been five years without so much as a word from me, but please know that I did have my reasons. Even though I know that they could never possibly be good enough to excuse what I did to you."
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Hiccup yet again cursed the chains that bound him. Wishing that he could just tell her the truth. It would still hurt, but at least then she would understand why he'd had to do it. "You have every right to yell and scream at me all night," he finished quietly. "I only wanted the chance to say first that I am so incredibly sorry for disappearing on you."
Her voice came out as more of an angry growl than actual words. "You're absolutely right, Hiccup. There is no excuse you could give me that would make the last five years go away. You took my maidenhead, and then you fucked off into the great beyond! The free and easy life of a heroic, dragon riding bachelor. Not a single godsdamn worry for me."
"Did you ever stop for a moment to wonder what might happen to me after you disappeared," she asked accusingly. "Probably not. Now I am betrothed to Snotlout, of all people, and you have only yourself to blame! Not that you care."
There was enough venom in her tone to kill a typhoomerang. Flinching back from her, Hiccup held up his hands in a sign of surrender. "I know Astrid, and I really am sorry. About everything. I am not sure what you would like me to do about it now that it is already settled though. I never could have imagined that your parents would agree to a marriage contract with the Jorgensons!"
"At least no one knows about us," he added thoughtfully. "I hear your family received quite the high bride price for you. I wonder how hard Snot had to plead with his father to get him to pay that much for a Hofferson…" Hiccup chuckled softly at that before he could stop himself. The feud between the Jorgenson and Hofferson clans was practically legendary on Berk, after all. Then, when Astrid's fists balled up again, he cringed slightly as he instantly regretted the terrible joke. "Sorry, that was stupid…"
"You're an asshole," she spat at him as she crossed her arms and glared furiously. Her eyes almost seeming to spark with her anger. "If you had any respect for me, you would take off your godsdamn mask and stop hiding from what you are. A player! Man up and own it! You were smooth and crafty, and you played me for a fool. I'm probably just another one of the many notches on your belt."
"You acted like you cared, and I gave you everything," she yelled now. Her voice climbing a couple octaves in her rage. "My virtue, my future, my life! Then you left. Never even looking back to see how bad you broke me! How many other women have you done the same thing to, Hiccup?"
What!? Now he was fighting to stop from shouting back at her, and only partially succeeding. Even though he knew that his own anger wouldn't help anything. "You got me," he spouted suddenly. Tearing his mask and hood roughly off his head as his carefully cultured elven eloquence slipped away too. His outburst clearly catching her by surprise.
"I'm the very worst type of asshole there is! Stealing maidens' virtue everywhere I go. Luring them in with my devilish charms and pretty gifts, convincing them it's love just to get my rocks off, and then leaving them as a broken and ruined mess once I'm done. They throw themselves at my feet and I laugh as I fuck them!" Her face turned white as her eyes flew wide with shock and he found he didn't care. What type of man did she think he was?
"Their pain is what gets me off," he sneered. "Lucky me, my dastardly schemes worked perfectly on you too. Clearly this was my plan all along when I spent weeks making you that godsdamn axe!" His own hot temper had finally broken through the surface now as he yelled back at her. "I charmed you with it, stole your maidenhead, and then took off into the night like the thieving and heartless bastard that I am. Though, you should really blame yourself for my heartlessness, since I cut it out of my chest and gave it to you!"
Pausing briefly, Hiccup took another deep breath as he forcibly reined his anger back in. "There is no string of broken women trailing behind me, Astrid. The rest of them meant nothing to me and I meant nothing to them," he confessed blandly. Sensing that she was about to start hitting him again, and continuing relentlessly anyways. "I know what you think of me Astrid, and you are right, in a way. I am not good for you."
"I stayed away to keep you safe, and I will have to leave again after all of this is over for the same reason. As much as I may wish I could, I cannot take you with me where I am going. We are different people now Astrid. So much more so than you will ever know. You deserve to have a peaceful life with a big, happy family, and I cannot give you either of those things. You should hate me for so many reasons, but do not try to accuse me of tricking my way into your pants or hurting you on purpose. You should know me better than that."
Unable to look at her anymore, Hiccup turned to look out over the still water instead. Knowing full well that turning his back on her right now may result in his agonizing death. It was akin to turning his back on an angry changewing. Rather than attacking on the spot, she was silent for a moment instead. Then she began to speak softly into the space between them. The quiet pain in her voice cutting him far deeper than her previous rage ever could.
"You know, I'd almost stopped believing that you would come back one day. A part of me had even begun to accept the fact that I would have to marry Snotlout whether I chose it or not. I have been so angry at you for so long. Wanting you to come back, if only so that I could punch your lights out. Convinced that I would be able to tell you that I wished you had stayed away forever. Now I realize that I never could've, because it would have been a lie. Even right now, I'd rather have you here fighting with me, than off somewhere else without me."
He could hear the soft crush of grass as she took a quiet step closer to him, but he didn't turn around. Not wanting to see the pain in her beautiful eyes. The pain that he had caused with his own stupidity. "I never stopped missing you though," she added sadly. "Wanting you. Dreaming of you. Now here you are, seemingly back from the dead. Yet now you're telling me that I need to move on and accept my fate because you're not good for me. In all my wildest dreams I never imagined I'd hear you say that."
"Do you not want me anymore? Is that it? Have you moved on? Or did it simply mean nothing to you in the first place? Just like all the other women apparently meant nothing to you. I guess the joke was on me, wasn't it..." She trailed off with a hollow laugh at that. "Unfortunately, you did mean something to me."
Both her words and the hurt they carried tore at the already gaping wound in his chest. How could he possibly make her understand that she had needed to believe that he was never coming back, because he couldn't. It was for her sake that he had stayed away, not his. How could he make her see that she needed to move on? That he did care and it had meant something. It had meant everything, but his feelings for her didn't matter. Especially now that she was betrothed. He had already ruined her life enough.
Turning back to look at her, Hiccup couldn't stop himself from reaching out and pulling her into his embrace. Fully expecting her to resist, but she fell towards him easily. Wrapping her own arms tightly around his waist. He rested his chin on top of her beautiful blonde head and sighed in frustrated agony. "Of course it meant something to me Astrid," he murmured against her hair. Relishing the feel of her body against his, and hating himself for it.
"You were the only woman I have ever truly wanted, yet was sure that I could never have, and you are still the one woman above all others for me," he told her honestly. "Being with you was like having all of my wildest dreams come true, and you are the only woman I have wanted to be with since. As hard as you may find that to believe."
Astrid gave a chocked sob and Hiccup tightened his arms around her. Unable to stop himself from placing a soft kiss against her hair, while noting distractedly that it smelled of fresh lavender. "Unfortunately, this has nothing to do with whether or not I still want you," he reminded her gently. "It is not nearly that simple, as you are not mine to want. You are betrothed to another man. It would be wrong and you know it. What we feel… It is not good for us."
"What if I don't care about it being wrong," came her stubborn reply. Causing him to huff out a laugh. "Seriously Hiccup, it doesn't feel wrong to me. Not being with you, that is what feels wrong to me. I never agreed to marry Snotlout and I have been trying to find some way to get out of this arrangement since day one. Thank goodness Gothi bought me time by claiming that the gods would not bless our union until the dragon scourge was defeated…" Hiccup moved his head to look down at her in surprise, wondering why the medicine woman even cared about one marriage, but Astrid just continued as if she hadn't noticed.
"I'll admit it seems pretty bleak, but I refuse to just accept this without a fight," she stated firmly, before glancing up with narrowed eyes. "And you are damn well going to help me Haddock," she added as her temper flared again. "You have screwed me around for too long, and now it's time for some payback. I will not put up with you hiding from me anymore, and you will not leave me here to get married off to Snotlout while you up and disappear again!" She was glaring daggers up at him and Hiccup couldn't help the slight chuckle that slipped out.
Gods he loved how wonderfully stubborn this woman was. Looking down again, Hiccup took a moment to just re-memorize her perfect face. Astrid's blue eyes mapping the lines of his, and he was suddenly struggling to ignore the disorienting siren call of her thoughts again. Her simmering rage was flashing back over to a boiling passion as their bodies pressed together, and she was barely even aware of it. "I could always kill him for you," he drawled with a shrug, in hopes of breaking the mood. "Just putting that option on the table..."
Then Hiccup was grinning down at her as she gave a snort of laughter. "I may just take you up on that," Astrid warned cheekily. Making Hiccup chuckle now. "My dad would disown me if I killed Snotlout, but if you did it, I could claim innocent shock and tragic heartbreak." Despite the unexpected humour of the moment, both of them just kept gazing at each other. Blue eyes locked on green as neither one of them seemed capable of looking away.
Hiccup knew there were only two places to go from here. Give in to the anger fuelled desire coursing through both of them and regret it later. Or escort her out of the cove and watch her disappear into the night. He knew that the latter would mean the absolute end of whatever they may have had. It killed him to do it, but that was the choice he had to make.
Ignoring the insistent ache in his chest telling him that he was choosing wrong, Hiccup tore his eyes away from Astrid's face and dropped his arms from around her. Taking her hand in his, he pulled her along with him until they had reached the edge of the forest. He was fully intending to allow her to walk away from him forever. She needed to walk away from him forever. It was the only right way.
When they reached the first of the trees, Astrid paused as she turned to look at him again. "Don't think for a moment that you are off the hook, Haddock," she grouched. Her tone slightly teasing, even as she pretended to scowl at him. "I'm still furious at you, but can I at least have a kiss goodbye? Especially if you expect me to keep pretending we're strangers until you leave. You still owe me five years worth of apologies, after all."
Sighing at how easy it was for her to bend him to her will, Hiccup leaned down to kiss her. Intending for it to be just a gentle brush of lips before he drew away. He hadn't thought to prepare himself for the fire that one simple gesture would ignite. Without his consent, his mouth began to move against hers as her lips parted under the pressure. Astrid returning the kiss with an unexpected passion that overwhelmed his sense of reason. Making him draw her into his arms again as she clung to the front of his armour. "I'm still mad at you," she gasped out between kisses.
"Then I should probably let you go," Hiccup muttered back. Though his arms were not responding to his brain right now, so he doubted that he would actually be able to. His body refused to let her go now that it had her where it wanted her. Instead of pushing him away, she just fisted her hands around the sword straps on his chest and pulled him closer. Her mouth hot and vicious on his as he pressed her back hard against the tree trunk behind her.
"Don't you dare, Hiccup," Astrid groaned against his lips. "Just shut up and start making me forget about how much of an asshole you are, if only for right now. Will one more night really be the end of the world? You're leaving anyways, so it won't change anything."
Wrong, Hiccup thought brokenly. It will change everything... He knew this, even as he cursed low in surrender.
*
Astrid felt Hiccup's growled oath vibrate through her chest and knew she had won. When she had come to find him, it was simply to question him and demand some answers. Then beat his ass for disappearing on her. Once she was close to him again, in this place, her traitorous body had other ideas. As she had yelled at him, and he had yelled back, the surprising heat of passion had begun to take root inside her. Confusing her with its curious intensity. She was no longer sure whether she wanted to hit him again, or start tearing his clothes off instead.
She had waited too long for him, desperate and heartbroken. Her thoughts wouldn't stop wandering back to the last time they had been here in this cove together. The anger that had ruled her a moment ago was now twisting and writhing into an unexpected and undeniable desire. Something about him was calling to her in a way that her body refused to ignore, even if her mind knew that it was stupid.
How dare he disappear for five years without a single word? Only to show up out of nowhere and rescue her in the nick of time, like some sort of supernatural hero on dragon back. Then try to act as if it was no big deal. Thinking that she could just walk away and carry on with her miserable life as if he wasn't back in it. She had hugged him freely, only to be painfully reminded of the feel of his strong arms crushing her body against his. As she had looked up into his handsome face, she had remembered just how it felt to have those wonderful lips on her.
His words had hurt her. He had told her that she couldn't have him and might as well give up and let go. He'd said that this was bad for them. That he was bad for her, but she knew that couldn't be true. Nothing bad could ever feel like this. There would be time for talk later. He owed her some answers. Right now though, her mind wouldn't stop taking her back to the beautiful sense of freedom that she had felt that night. Urging her to give into the fire and relive that perfect moment with him.
Astrid reached up to wind her fingers into his hair now. Pulling him closer as his body pinned her against the tree behind them, and that's when she realized that she hadn't been imagining it. Hiccup had grown taller. Much taller. His body even broader and harder than she had first thought. She had just been too angry at him before to notice it. What has happened to him, she wondered, as she felt his chest and arms flexing as he held her. Actually, you know what, who cares...
Stretching onto her toes and deepening the kiss, Astrid pressed herself against him greedily. All the rage she had felt at his behaviour was now flaring into a blazing passion that was as wonderful as it was shocking. His touch consuming her as the heat of his hands through her tunic sent disorienting tingles up her spine, making her dizzy. Judging by the way he held her, she wasn't the only one burning. Clearly the absence, hurt, and longing had spawned a desperate and insatiable need in both of them.
There was no hesitation in his touch this time. His grip on her was firm and steady while his mouth ravaged hers relentlessly. Astrid ravaging him back in a way she didn't know she was capable of. She could feel his growing erection as he slid one leather-clad leg between her thighs to grind against her. The intense spike of pleasure making her gasp and clutch at him as her knees gave out.
Last time had been excruciatingly slow. Hiccup pausing every step of the way to confirm her consent and to make sure he was not causing her undue pain. Right now, there was no time for any of that. Her body seemed completely beyond her control as the startling flip of emotions gave her a strong sense of vertigo. His hands were sliding hungrily, almost roughly, over her as she moaned and shuddered at his touch. Leaning into his caresses and drinking up the feel of him. Mouths clashing and tongues twining in a violent and urgent dance.
Her hands were clutching tightly at his hair. Pulling on it aggressively and making him groan. Her nails raking viciously against his scalp. She wanted to hurt him. Wanted to push him away and yell at him some more. She also wanted to bring him closer and never let him go. Wanting all of him and none of him, all at once.
The tight fitting cloak and armoured tunic he was wearing left very little to the imagination. Needing to explore the achingly familiar, yet completely new, plains of his chest and abdomen, Astrid untangled one of her hands from his hair to trail it down between them instead. Enjoying the feeling of leather covered muscle bunching under her fingers. When she reached the belt at his waist, she tugged it loose in one quick motion, and Hiccup sucked in a sharp breath before pulling back to look at her. She just smiled coyly and began to caress him through his trousers.
Hiccup's answering smile was distinctly feral and set her blood boiling. Bringing his lips back to hers, his hands slid down her sides and then up under her skirt to the ties on her leggings. In a flash he had them undone and then he was kissing his way down her neck and chest. Placing his warm lips over one of the hard peaks before continuing down to her lower stomach. Leaning back against the tree to hold herself up, Astrid gazed down at his handsome face as she ran her fingers through his sexy mane.
He moaned softly against her as he sucked and teethed at the soft skin near her hipbone. Causing the heat in her core to flare almost painfully. She already felt like she was coming apart at the seams, whimpering pathetically at his touch. Her knees going dangerously weak again as he drew her leggings down and off while distracting her with his sensual mouth. She had almost forgotten how good Hiccup was at this. Almost. Then, leaving her skirt in place, he retraced his route up to her lips.
As she wound her arms back over his shoulders, his hands slid around and gripped her rear under her skirt. Lifting her off her feet as she wrapped both legs firmly around his hips. Clinging tightly to him as she nibbled and kissed her way along his sharp jaw to his earlobe. Thoroughly enjoying the quiet groans she was managing to wring out of him as she teethed at the sensitive skin. Biting down harder than was probably reasonable in her angry passion.
He didn't complain though. Simply tilting his head slightly to allow her more access to his bare skin. The smell coming from him was unreasonably appealing. She couldn't seem to place it, but it was practically intoxicating. Fogging her mind and making her dizzy. She just couldn't resist running her tongue greedily up the full length of his neck. Feeling him shudder as he moaned by her ear. The sound licking through her veins like fire.
When she felt his hot length brush along her slit, she panted and stroked herself against it. Every nerve anticipating what was coming next. She had been dreaming of this moment for years. Teasing herself to get through the longest of the nights without him. Hiccup tilted his face back to look into her eyes again as he aligned himself with her. The hint of a question buried in his eyes. Returning his gaze, Astrid let herself get lost in the beautiful green depths as she sunk down onto him.
Groaning loudly at the wonderful feeling of fullness, she pushed back against him as he rocked his hips to thrust into her. His arms around her holding her tight against him. His mouth coming back to claim hers again. Swallowing almost every one of her moans and cries as he brought her quickly to the brink. Breaking away only to let her catch her breath as he trailed hot, wet kisses down her neck. Making her shudder and gasp his name into the night.
It was not slow. It was not romantic. It was wild, rough, and needy. Every caress coloured with a strong shade of passionate anger. It was so very wrong, and all the more right for it.
Astrid ground herself hungrily onto him. Her fingernails digging into the back of his cloak as she rode the waves of sensation. The contrasting textures of smooth skin and slippery leather driving her wild. The clothing still separating them somehow only adding to the friction and intense feelings of urgent and forbidden desire. She was practically gasping for each breath now as she felt the sweet pain of lust building to breaking point inside her.
"Gods Astrid, you feel so fucking good. I missed you so much." He growled the words into her ear before running his tongue over the sensitive skin behind it. The curious mix of dirty and sweet, paired with the deep, rumbling timber of his voice pushed her off the edge and she fell. Her body clenching and shaking in glorious release as she buried her face in his shoulder and bit down hard to stop her screams. A couple more thrusts and she heard Hiccup moan her name as he swiftly pulled out of her.
As she held herself against him, Astrid could feel a warm sense of something blossoming inside her chest. The happiness that had been evading her since he left was now washing over her. It was comforting and wonderful, and she turned her head to place a soft kiss against the warm skin of his neck. Hiccup's arms tightening around her at the touch of her lips, pulling her even closer against his body. It somehow still wasn't close enough.
She rested her head on his shoulder for a moment and smiled. Breathing in that strange and enticing smell that seemed to be emanating from his skin. Like a mixture of cedar wood, charcoal, parchment, and night rain. That was the only way she could think to describe it. Whatever it was, it seemed to almost sing to her blood. Calling to her body with a strange, wild magic that she didn't understand. Soothing her soul as she tried to slow her racing heart.
Somehow Hiccup managed to stay standing, despite holding them both up. Astrid was glad he was still holding her as she wasn't sure her legs would support her weight right now. They felt strangely tingly as they clung tightly to his hips. When he did raise his head to meet her eyes again, there was a lopsided grin plastered on his handsome face. "I must apologize, mi'lady. I seem to have taken you the Viking way this time," he quipped.
"That's alright. I actually rather enjoyed it," Astrid told him honestly, also smiling. Surprised that he had remembered her words from that night after so many years.
"Well, I guess that is alright then. I promise to make it up to you next time. Do you think you can stand?" He was still smirking at her and she found herself laughing out loud now.
"Honestly? I'm not sure. My legs sort of feel like they're made of jelly. I guess we'll find out. Just promise you'll catch me before I fall on my face."
"Always," Hiccup replied softly as he slowly lowered her back to her feet. That sounded a lot like a promise, and Astrid shot a quick look at him. He simply smiled gently at her as he took a step back. Keeping his arms around her until he was sure she would be able to hold herself up. Well, with the help of one hand propped against the tree, that is. Her legs were pretty wobbly. How was she ever going to get her pants back on if she could barely even stand? As if he had read her thoughts, Hiccup stepped back as he quickly readjusted his own clothes. Then he picked up her tights from where he had dropped them.
Kneeling down in front of her, he lifted her right foot and pulled one side of her leggings onto it. Pressing a tender kiss to her thigh that sent another wave of heat through the strange pressure in her chest. He lowered her foot back onto the ground, and then performed the same motion with the left. Working the fabric slowly back up to her waist, he placed one more gentle kiss on the delicate strip of pale flesh beside her hip. Sliding her boots on last before standing and reaching out to pull her towards him again.
As she looked up into his beautiful emerald eyes, Astrid felt an overwhelming sense of peace flow through her. Everything about this moment felt right. She had even completely forgotten that she was supposed to be mad at him. She would yell at him later. For right now, she just wanted to stay here with him forever. Wrapped up in his embrace and never letting go of him again.
As Hiccup met her gaze, she saw a flash of something in his eyes. A strange, guarded look that shadowed the emerald briefly, before quickly vanishing. It confused and worried her for a moment. Then he reached up to brush a lock of hair out of her face before leaning down to kiss her softly. Effectively wiping her memory as the warmth in her chest flared again.
"I should go," Astrid murmured after he broke away. Sliding her hands down from his neck to his chest, but not quite ready to move away from him just yet. "I'd rather they not notice that I'm gone. I'll see you tomorrow," she added hopefully. A sudden and suffocating feeling smothering the warmth in her chest at the thought that he might simply disappear again. Glancing up desperately to meet his eyes and worried she might see that same guarded shadow there again.
Instead, he just chuckled softly as he looked down at her. "Of course you will. I am actually required to sit through tomorrow's painful meeting." Hiccup grimaced at that, making her laugh. "Oh, and I should tell you that currently Stoick and Gobber know me as Scáth Rothaí. The dragon master from the east."
"I don't see why you can't just tell them that it's you," Astrid grumbled back. Still confused on why he wanted to keep hiding from the tribe. Then she was tilting her head to one side as she gazed up at him. "Where did you get that name from, anyways? It sounds strange."
Hiccup sighed and raised one hand from her waist to rub the back of his neck uncomfortably. "I told you why Astrid. I cannot stay. I wish I could tell you everything, but I am bound to silence by my employers. You would not believe me anyways, even if I did try to explain. If you want to hit me again for that, I will not stop you this time."
"As for the name, I guess it would sound strange to you." He offered her a half shrug at that. "It was given to me by a friend I met on my travels and it sort of stuck. It means Shadow Rider in her native tongue." Well that's certainly a fitting name, Astrid thought idly. Looking over at where Toothless was now curled up; pretending to sleep. She hadn't even noticed the dragon arriving in the cove. Though, admittedly she had been a little distracted.
With her own sigh, she realized that she was also too content and deliciously exhausted to wrestle the answers out of him tonight. All the fight had gone completely out of her. She had wanted to stay mad at him, but no. Instead she had made the same mistakes all over again because she was putty in his hands. Reduced to little more than a simpering maiden at his touch.
Just being near him was like consuming an entire barrel of mead. He actually intoxicated her. This strange feeling in her chest had to be a sure sign that she was drunk. Not to mention the spinning head. She would likely wake up with a hangover in the morning.
Damn his magic hands. And his mouth. Damn all of him, really. Maybe a good nights sleep would help her discover exactly what had happened to all of her willpower. Raising up onto her toes, Astrid pressed a kiss to his cheek before leaving to make her way through the dark forest back to the village.
*
Hiccup stood watching her until she faded from his sight. Then he dropped to his knees and buried his face in his hands. He had been right of course. Everything had changed. Astrid may not know it yet, but he did. He had sensed her feelings as she held herself against him. Sensed how just the smell of him was drawing her in closer. Ensnaring her in his dangerous web.
There was nothing he could do to stop the magic from calling to her. He was also selfish enough to not even really want to try. The beast inside wanted Astrid to need him like a crutch. It was more than that though. He had seen the love shining in her eyes just now. Complete and utterly irreversible love.
He had truly ruined her this time. Ruined both of them, really. His own pain he would suffer happily, as he knew that he deserved every moment of it. Astrid, on the other hand, would be destroyed when he disappeared again, and yet he would do it anyways. He really was a monster. He had done everything that he had sworn he wouldn't. Made all the same mistakes all over again, as if he hadn't learned anything the first time around.
Maybe he was a sadist. It would explain why he just couldn't stop himself from hurting Astrid over and over again. Why did she even put up with him? He should have let her stay mad at him. Should have stopped himself from touching her, or holding her, or fucking her...
Gods, he was an awful person! He really was the worst kind of asshole. All those years of careful absence, and he had just thrown them away to get a little action. Tossed them aside along with the last of his morals and common sense. What in Hel's realm was wrong with him?
She would have been able to let go and move on before. She even almost had, but not anymore. His magic was singing to her desire, even if she didn't understand it. The unrelenting call to her body, along with the love he had spawned, would bring her back again and again. He knew that she would return to him, as surely as he knew that he would not even try to deny her when she did. He wanted her too much. It was selfish, stupid, and would only make it so much harder when he had to leave her again. What had he done...
_
Bless their little emotional hearts. Who doesn't love a good session of make-up sex when tempers are running hot ;)
Though, can you really blame Astrid for falling into his arms despite her anger? I picture my Hiccup as something like a 7 foot tall Ryan Reynolds type, with sexy lean muscle. Not bulging biceps like Dwayne Johnson. He is still Hiccup, after all.
PS: As I am a Harry Potter nut, I hid a little Easter egg in this chapter for you other HP fans. Bonus points if you spot it :P