Chapter 6.
Taylor shivered and quaked from her seat at the table, sipping her coffee with a blanched face. Astrid sat next to her, explaining the events of the day while both Tom and Hiccup sat across. Taylor avoided meeting either of the men's eyes, instead keeping her gaze fixed on her cup.
"So I was right?" Taylor chattered upon Astrid's finishing words. "I was actually right?"
Astrid rolled her eyes. "Yes Tay, you were right."
She watched her sister carefully for any signs of shock, perhaps delusion, madness? But instead Taylor just smirked crookedly and punched her arm.
"Now will you listen to me!?"
Astrid laughed. "No, that's never going to happen. Because if I had listened to you, we never would've met Tom or Hiccup."
Tom was munching on a piece of pizza as he listened, smiling around his food in agreement. Hiccup seemed to shrink back momentarily, but he too smiled in return.
Taylor shuddered again as she set her coffee back on the table, shoving it away. "So… where does this leave us?"
"Leave us..?" Aastrid questioned in puzzlement.
"What do we do now?"
"Oh." She sighed and rubbed her temples. This day was getting too long for her liking. She felt the desperate need to go to bed, forget what had happened, and wake up refreshed and back at her parent's home.
"We're just going to continue with life, only with two house guests." Astrid finally said. She looked to the boys, waiting to see if that sounded desirable to them.
"Really?" Tom asked hopefully. "And we… we can work for our stay too, along with food. I can keep doing chores and upkeep, and Hiccup and Toothless are great hunters-"
"I don't know if…" Hiccup interrupted hesitantly.
"That would be great, guys." Astrid smiled happily. Hiccup's eyes sparked, and Tom grinned in equal pleasure.
She could only imagine what it must feel like for them. Hiccup looked nearly overjoyed to have work to do that would benefit the both of them, while Tom looked merely happy for the prospects of talking with others- or maybe it was the fact that they were female. She wasn't sure.
Years of History classes came flooding back, in particularly the lessons on early America. Watching films and documentaries had told her enough, that most young gentlemen in the old days were courteous and polite, respecting woman for who they were, even if the rights were different.
Astrid had a strong feeling both men were respecting of the womenfolk, so she allowed her barrier to partially fall away as she winked at them with a grin.
"So, deals made, shake on it?"
She extended her hand to Tom, who shook it without hesitation. His expression said it all, he was more than happy to agree.
Hiccup was more cautious, not immediately accepting her hand. When he did, it was gentle and quick. It was clear he wasn't very comfortable around them quite yet.
"Taylor, what time is it?"
Checking her phone she read. "Nine. No wonder I'm pooped."
Hiccup blushed at the statement, making Astrid realize again that their phrases and terms were much different then hers.
"Well, I know I'm tired. Time for bed." She shuffled to her feet and collected the dirty plates quickly. Hiccup had politely rejected her offers of pizza, saying he was too worked up to have any tonight anyways. Tom looked mortified, saying that pizza was the best thing ever created and that he was 'goopy' to refuse it.
Dumping the eating utensils in the sink, Astrid quickly rinsed them off to be washed in the morning. She turned back around and noticed Taylor had already said goodnight and had left the room, leaving her to lead the boys to the Ballroom.
"C'mon." She motioned before exiting the swinging door. Toothless bounded out of nowhere, letting out a happy yip at the sight of them. Dancing back in the direction he'd come, Toothless bounced for the stairs.
"We really can't thank you enough for this, miss Hofferson." Hiccup said gratefully. "Really. This is the best thing that's happened to us in a long time."
"It's not a problem- as long as the rules are followed." Astrid smiled and opened the doors, letting Tom and Toothless through. Hiccup paused and stared at her with a blush.
"I'm sorry about your sister, too. I didn't mean to scare her-"
She laughed. "That's just Taylor. She's fainted four times in the past, this is just another to add to the pile. My sister's a bit blonde in matters of fear."
Hiccup laughed softly, then gave a light nod. "See you in the morning, Miss. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Haddocks." Astrid called after them as she shut the door, jingling her keys once again as she attempted to lock them. After many failed tries, she finally got the darned lock to click.
She knocked curtly on her sister's door, waiting to hear if she was feeling well enough to sleep alone.
"Tay, you alright?"
The door swung open, revealing her sister dressed in a pink tank and shorts. Wet hair in two braids, she had a toothbrush half in her mouth.
"Mhm." She answered and began resuming her brushing.
"You won't have a heart attack in your sleep?"
Taylor paused and rolled her eyes, unamused. "A curse nah, siwwy." She spoke around the brush. She popped it out. "Besides, I'll just run over to your room if I hear any strange noises."
She tilted her head, smiling fondly. "Who knew ghosts were so good looking? How in the world can I be afraid of all of… that?"
Astrid laughed in exasperation and patted her sister's head fondly. "Oh, dear sister, you're such a teenager."
Leaving her to finish preparing for bed, Astrid went to her room and took a shower. Slipping into fluffy pajamas she bounced on the bed, feeling overly awake and not at all ready for sleep.
So, pulling out her laptop, she decided to try out Stranger Things, the tv show the "gang" had suggested she watch. But after only two minutes of that she instantly turned on an old rerun of I Love Lucy, knowing that paranormal stuff just was not a good thing to try that night.
…
Astrid stumbled out of bed the next morning, knowing she'd stayed up way too late last night on her laptop. Reaching blindly for some clean clothes, she tugged out an old shirt she hadn't worn in years, along with some boot cut jeans.
Sliding into the bathroom she hurriedly got dressed and braided her hair. She returned to her room and began scooping up the clothes scattered helter skelter all over the floor. Her arms were full when she made her way down the hall to the wash room where an ancient washer stood alone. She'd have to hang the laundry on the line to dry.
Stuffing her clothes into the washer she poured a bit of the little bottle of soap Taylor had bought into the detergent slot. Sliding it shut she punched the button and slapped the top of the machine to get it working. Finally, it spun lazily and hesitantly, making Astrid wonder if it would make it over the next turn.
"Well, we'll see how well that turns out." Clapping her hands, Astrid trotted down the haul and into the kitchen where she tugged out various ingredients, hoping to make some sort of egg casserole. But knowing she couldn't cook, she hurried to Google a recipe on her newly charged phone.
Taylor wandered in not much later, swabbed in a robe to cover her pj's. Slouching into a chair, she poured some more coffee.
"Morning to you too." Astrid deadpanned.
"So tired." Taylor whined as she took another gulp of her coffee.
Sprinkling some cheese into the pan, Astrid pulled out her keys and tossed them at the table. "Would you mind going and unlocking the Ballroom doors?"
"Sure." Standing and taking her mug with her, Taylor swung out the door.
Astrid waggled her finger against her chin and eyed the casserole critically, wondering if she was doing any of the directions correctly. Having no way of telling yet, she shrugged and slid it into the large oven.
Trying to figure out how to get it started, she slid open the drawer at the bottom.
"How in tarnation-" Astrid huffed under her breath. "How do you get this thing started?"
Where do you put the wood?
Taylor entered again, this time with a black dog close on her heels. He yawned widely and stretched, mirroring Taylor's own movements.
"The guys up?"
"I think Hiccup is, but I couldn't see him."
Taylor seemed oblivious to Astrid's situation. Glaring at her sister's back, Astrid turned to the oven, once again trying to figure the old contraption out.
There was a light tap on the swinging door, and it swung open revealing Hiccup's tall form. Toothless lifted his head and smiled widely at his human with a happy wag of his tail in greeting.
"Good morning." Astrid greeted. Exclaiming alarm when she touched a spiky something in the stove, she withdrew her hand quickly and flushed warm in embarrassment.
"Do you want some help?" Hiccup offered with a smile.
"Yes, please." She huffed and sat back on her heels, watching as Hiccup grabbed two split logs from the wood box against the wall. He cracked open a door beside the oven and slid them inside, before going to the trash and pulling out the paper plates from a few nights back.
Astrid handed him the matches, and within seconds there was a cackling fire in the correct place, already sending the metal red.
"Thank you, no telling how long it would've taken me without your help."
Hiccup laughed quietly as he slid some sort of lever by the pipe, creating a loud grating sound. "It's not a problem. I should also probably take a look at this pipe after breakfast, it probably needs to be cleaned after so long."
Knowing nothing on the matter of wood-burning stoves, Astrid merely nodded, pretending she knew what he was talking about.
Taylor had left to get dressed, so it was just the two of them as Astrid made some of the frozen orange juice. Hiccup set the table voluntarily, all the while without saying a word.
"Can I… can I tell you something?" Astrid said slowly, not looking to him for fear of intimidating him. There was silence, until Hiccup replied with a quiet and questioning yes.
"You don't have to be ashamed." Now, she looked up, meeting his puzzled gaze. "I've noticed how you avoid looking at us, or even talking. But… really… your eyes don't do anything to make you unlikable."
Hiccup tilted his head thoughtfully. "Honest?"
"Truthfully. In fact… I find them... fascinating." I hope I don't sound like a creep.
Hiccup smiled slowly, before letting out a laugh that shook his shoulders. "I… I appreciate that, ma'am. It's something I've grown used to, yet, just as I grow comfortable with myself, something like… like all of this happens and throws me off my game."
"I understand." Astrid nodded. Letting the subject drop, she carried the pitcher of juice to the table.
The meal was cheerful. Tom was in a jolly mood, cracking jokes that even had Hiccup chuckling. Taylor spoke of going for a walk later on after chores, asking if the boys would show them around the property to which they willingly agreed. Hiccup even seemed eager.
Once breakfast was done, Astrid and Tom did the dishes while Taylor went to clean up her room. Hiccup disappeared outside to get more firewood from the gigantic pile out back, having been stacked there for almost sixty years.
"So, today I figured we'd finish the little bit of cleanup and dusting down here, along with some more unpacking." Astrid explained. "We'll go shopping for a bit of decor once my paycheck goes through."
While Hiccup and Tom only understood half of her statement, they went along with it. "What do you want us to do?"
"Hiccup talked about the stove pipe?"
It wasn't until after lunch that Astrid finished with her phone calls and work. Setting her laptop aside she slipped out of bed and pushed on her shoes, going to the washroom and gathering her laundry.
It was only the third time Astrid had been in the backyard since her arrival, and again, she marveled at the trees surrounding the estate. They were tall and filled with leaves, till at points you couldn't even see through the dense overgrowth. There were only a few dead trees, giving away how old the woods truly were.
The clothes line only had two strings that were still usable, with the oldest looking clothespins in a little wooden box beside it, fastened to the pole. Opening it, inside were old and worn clothespins, slightly warped from rain water.
"They'll have to do." Astrid mumbled and began tugging her clothes onto the string, one by one. It had been a long time since she'd done the chore.
"Would you like some help?" Hiccup asked from behind. She whirled about in surprise, but smiled when she noticed his slightly dirty clothes, stained from charcoal.
"I think I'm good, thanks."
He continued to watch, yet it wasn't awkward or creepy. Just a bit uncomfortable for him, but that seemed normal for the ghost boy.
"Was the stove bad?" She asked leisurely.
"Pretty, but we got it cleaned out, so it shouldn't get clogged for you again." Hiccup rubbed Toothless's head before sitting down in the grass, tugging at the blades distractedly.
"Where's Tom?"
"He and Taylor are out back cleaning the garden."
Astrid frowned suspiciously, but forced herself not to go and check on the two. Trying to be more trusting, she unbristled and pinned another shirt.
"Is it a big garden? I haven't seen it yet."
Hiccup's eyes brightened, sparking a glowing fire. "It used to be. I remember Tom and I would play in there all day, hiding from one another or playing knights. We had a jolly time."
Astrid smiled at the thought. "Sounds like you two were close."
Hiccup tipped his chin. "I like to think we still are."
"Aren't you?"
He hesitated. "I… I think so? I feel like we've grown closer over the years, closer than we've ever been before. But in the last few days, he's changed so much."
Astrid had a hunch as to why, but she remained silent.
"I-I'm sorry if this comes off as rude, but I believe it's your sister." Hiccup rambled, the words meshing together. "I-I don't know what or why-"
So he'd realized it too.
"They're teenagers." Astrid shrugged. "And Tom hasn't seen a female in years- much less talked to one. I'm sure they'll both get over their crushes."
Hiccup ducked his head and sighed. "I just… I don't know what to do. He's my best friend, the only person I've ever had, and he's never gone through anything like this before. I don't want him to get hurt, you know?"
Astrid's hands stilled, and she nodded knowingly. All too well…
"Hey! You two ready!?" Tom called out as he rounded the corner of the house. Taylor followed, smiling widely and waving her hand in encouragement.
"Coming!" Astrid stabbed the pin on the last of her socks and plucked up the basket, hurrying to the kitchen door to shove it inside. She turned back and was surprised to see Hiccup shyly offering her his arm.
Again, she was reminded of the time he remembered. When this was an expected courtesy from the gentleman. So, as not to disappoint him, she hooked her elbow around his arm.
"So, where to?"
"We'll take you down the trails first off, those are our favorite."
"Don't forget the lake." Hiccup reminded.
Tom waved a hand gallantly in the air. "Right then! To the lake!"
Tom and Taylor led the way, followed by Toothless, then Astrid and Hiccup. She tried to focus on their chatter, but Hiccup's felt shirted arm against her own bare one was a new feeling, one that had her mind distantly distracted. Hiccup seemed unbothered however, so she refused to let it show.
"This is Old Ben." Hiccup pointed out a giant oak tree, spiraling above them. "We used to climb this old beast when we were really little. There was once a swing off that branch, but it fell off during a storm years ago."
Astrid admired the tree in amazement. She'd never seen such a tall tree in all her life.
"The lake's just yonder. We've been fishing there ever since… the incident. There's a lot of bullheads now, but way back there were bass and bluegill." Tom informed expertly. "Have you ever had fish?"
"Pets, and as a meal." Astrid replied. "We've also been fishing. I really enjoyed it, I don't if I can say as much for Taylor."
"Hiccup will have to make you some, sometime. He's the best fish fryer."
Hiccup stuttered some incomprehensible reply, to which the others laughed while Tom repeated the statement, firmer this time.
Along the way they came across some summer flowers, so as Astrid and Hiccup were separated as they scattered to pick them. Taylor carried the bundle as they continued on to the lake, which wasn't as large as the boy's had made it sound. Only about the perimeter of the mansion, it was the size of a large pond.
"Oh wow!" Taylor bubbled. "We should go swimming some time, eh Ast?"
Astrid nodded, the word swimming sounding like music to her ears on the hot summer day. She had no idea how Hiccup could stand wearing his long-sleeved shirt, even if it was rolled up to the elbows.
"It's beautiful." She agreed with a murmur. She imagined a bridge over the narrow part at the middle of the lake, one like the vintage bridges she'd seen in pictures. It painted a pretty picture, with or without the bridge.
Tom and Taylor dashed off, kicking their shoes away as they did so. Running into the water they screeched about how cold it was, while Hiccup merely grinned as he stepped up beside Astrid.
"You going to join them?" Astrid asked with a laugh as she watched Taylor topple, butt first into the water.
"Not now, I'm just fine staying dry."
Astrid looked to him, noticing how his happy and cheerful expression had diminished into one of despair. His eyebrows were tilted together, brow furrowed, and mouth parted in what she understood as pain or longing.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing… just, thinking."
Nodding, she turned back to the water, leaving him to his thoughts. It was painfully obvious he wasn't up to talking, which was fine with her.
She moved closer to the waters until she found a fallen tree branch. Crawling on top of it to sit just above the water, she took off her slip-on shoes and threw them back to shore. The water was chilly against her toes, but just the right temperature to take the heat away.
She watched the two teens in the water, laughing when Tom suddenly slipped and disappeared from sight beneath the waves. Taylor was laughing so hard she could barely stand, while Hiccup sitting on the shore teasingly called out to Tom for being a guppy.
She blinked, and watched carefully. Tom bobbed back to the surface with a shake of his head, splaying water in all directions. Taylor collapsed in hopeless giggles, emphasizing her mirth.
Astrid's lips twitched a smile, but it was hesitant. Everything had changed, all in one moment.
How could life get so complicated so suddenly?