x.
He texts her just a few minutes after she finally makes her way up to her room, just to say he had a good time (again). She smiles, telling him that she did as well.
I'm actually looking forward to work tomorrow, funnily enough, he replies.
Why? She asks.
Because I'll get to see you.
She falls asleep with a smile on her face that night, her phone pressed tightly to her chest.
xi.
He gives her a chaste kiss on the check the next morning when he strolls into the shop, right in front of Stoick and everything. She blushes, but Stoick just raises an eyebrow and doesn't say anything.
Hiccup seems to spend a lot more time in the reception area with her than back with the cars he's supposed to be servicing, sneaking kisses whenever he can. Finally, she has to push him away, giggling, telling him to get back to work.
He pouts. "But I wanna spend time with you."
"Later," she promises. "But you have to work now, otherwise Stoick might fire me, and you don't want that on your conscience, do you?"
He sighs, but his eyes are still bright. "No, I guess I don't." He kisses her cheek, adding, "See you at lunch!" before he heads to the back.
She sighs a bite, touching the spot on her cheek where his lips had been seconds earlier. The bell over the door clangs then, and she turns to help the potential customer. She tries her best to pay attention, but her thoughts keep drifting to Hiccup.
If someone had told her when she was fourteen that she would eventually be dating Hiccup, she would have laughed in their face. Now, however, she can hardly believe that it's actually her reality.
xii.
Dating Hiccup is actually really perfect. He's a perfect gentleman, and being older and in college, he seems more mature than the high school boys she's used to being around. He's courteous towards her, and he makes feel special.
They go to the movies on their second date.
He walks her to her door at the end of the night again, and she invites him inside to meet her parents.
He pales considerably, but he takes her up on the offer. She knows he's nervous, but she squeezes his hand in her own, shooting him a reassuring smile.
Her parents love him, and everything goes well, better than well actually. He stays for a bit, chatting with both of them, Astrid's hand still clasped firmly within his own, and she can't help but smile as he watches him interact with them. It is all so comfortable, and she feels relief. Her parents aren't so sure about her dating an older man at first, but she knows they'd just put their fears to rest.
He doesn't kiss her good night because of her dads, but he does hug her goodbye, whispering in her hair that he'll see her at work.
She grins before walking him to the door.
Thanks guys so much for reading.