Nina - I know what you mean! But honestly if men aren't mature enough to deal with the existence of periods, they shouldn't be having sex. Personally I agree about Astrid having a cup or tampon, but not being an expert in applying those things I went with a safer option. And yes for big brother Dagur! I love him so much, Gronckle-loving dope that he becomes (note he likes Justin (Fishlegs) in this just like in RTTE Gronckle buddies)

BrawlerGamer - we'll see won't we? Well, you will. Obviously, I know how it'll go.

FuntasticMe - no, I don't think your last review did make it but alas! It's alright. Please don't hang yourself there is no plan for weekly updates here! And my rock is not of shame! I'm proud of this story so far. It's for safety!

MidwestMexican - finally! Now the explosives are out of it! Astrid always hears people out, she just doesn't always listen.

Hicc - are you still plotting my death?

Asolf Amser - I'm so glad!

Tom80 - my hero! *hides again*

-HTTYD-

Hiccup would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous about that evening - he had called Gobber, who eagerly agreed to meet him that evening at Johann's pub.

He couldn't go back to work the next day - they thought he was actually sick, it would be suspicious to return. He sent a message to Astrid, apologising for it so she wouldn't think he was avoiding her. He hadn't stopped smiling since the night before, when they had exchanged goodnight texts again. Oh, he was so gone on her.

"I'm supposed to be sick, which sucks because I miss looking at you."

"Are you going in tomorrow?"

"Why?"

Astrid's answer took a few minutes, heart pounding in his chest.

"I'm off Wednesdays. Maybe you could come over, watch a movie? We've never really done the whole date thing."

Hiccup almost jumped in the air and whooped.

"Absolutely. Want me to bring some DVDs over or do you have a collection?"

"Oh, I'm definitely picking the film. And you shouldn't come on your bike, because I'm intending for this to not end in sex and your leathers are an unfair advantage."

He didn't love walking, but Hiccup felt it was an absolutely fair trade-off. He wasn't even disappointed at her saying nothing would happen. Hiccup just wanted to be near her again.

"As you wish. Want me to bring anything?"

"Butterscotch hot chocolate. Consider it a challenge."

Chuckling to himself, Hiccup was already working out his route to Johann's via a supermarket.

"Challenge accepted."

"How are you doing on the other thing?"

"You mean my dad? Step one is tonight. I'm gonna see Gobber, because he's the less serious one. That way I can be prepared if dads gonna be worse than before."

He wanted Astrid to know it scared him, but at the same time he knew it needed doing. His dad wasn't perfect but Hel, neither was Hiccup. He owed his dad a chance.

"Who's Gobber? His second wife?"

"In some ways. He's the one who taught me to cook, neither of my parents were much cop at that. And he co-owns the garage, he's like my uncle I guess. I mean, if he and my dad are a thing I wouldn't be surprised but hey, that's their business."

Astrid eventually stopped texting him to go to work with her mom, lesleaving Hiccup to meander about the house, playing with Toothless and starting a new motorcycle sketch. Then it was time to get ready for Johann's, though Hiccup did stop off at the local megastore and managed to find the hot chocolate Astrid wanted. He picked up other sweets and things he thought she might like. Placing the plastic bag into the saddlebag, he kicked the bike back to life and set off toward Johann's.

Unsurprisingly, he was IDed on the door. Holding out his motorcycle license, Hiccup peered around and saw Gobber wasn't there yet (you couldn't miss him), bought a beer at the bar to steady his nerves, then perched at a table with helmet and jacket on the bench next to him. His pocket buzzed, Astrid's name flashing up across the screen to make him smile.

"Some folk are way too stressed about pottery. I hope your man-night is going well."

"Gobber isn't here yet, I look very lonely."

"Well... if he stands you up I'll send you a picture of Dagur with peanut butter in his hair to cheer you up. If he turns up, I'll show you the picture tomorrow."

His stomach fluttered at the reminder he had a 'date' with Astrid tomorrow. As he smiled at the text, a voice interrupted his bubble.

"I cannae remember the last time ye smiled like that. Special lady?"

Hiccup looked up, seeing the mix of prosthetic and organic limbs, plus the braided moustache that meant only one man to him - Gobber.

"Yeah, she's special alright."

"I'll have to wait then, Gobber is here."

He put his phone away, standing and wavering between whether to hug or handshake. Gobber decided for him, slinging his all-flesh arm around Hiccup and squeezed him. He found himself laughing easily; Gobber had always been good to him. Never harsh like his father, even when Hiccup probably deserved it. A welcome balance, a safe harbour when his parents were divorcing.

"I'm glad ye called. I have missed ye Hiccup."

"Missed you too Gobber."

Hiccup sat down, sipping his beer while Gobber got himself a Viking Special - that was a size, not a brand. A flagon that easily held two and a half, maybe three pints. Johann's offered certain brands that were probably too strong to be allowed in such vast servings, but nobody had ever seen fit to report him for it.

"Ye never were a big one for the drink."

Gobber gave Hiccup's solitary beer a slightly disdainful look.

"Well I was always going for surgeries and taking antibiotics and painkillers that didn't mix well, and now I'm always about on the bike so it's not safe to be drunk."

"Fair point. So... what can I do ye for lad?"

Reminded somewhat of his interviewer at Dragon Wheels, Hiccup took another pull of his beer, held Astrid's wish at the forefront of his anxious mind.

"I wanted to know how dads doing. He's not said a word to me since he fired me."

"Ah."

Gobber took a huge swallow from his mammoth cup, then lifted his hat and scratched at his balding head.

"To tell ye the truth son, he's not doing too well. But ye know Stoick, dare not admit when he's in the wrong."

"So you think he was?"

"Absolutely. Told him so meself, he didn't talk to me for a week. But he's well... Stoick. He misses ye something awful lad."

"Maybe now he appreciates what mom went through."

"Aye. How is that?"

"Living with mom? Brilliant. I get to volunteer so much more, and I just feel... free."

Face hidden again by his cup, Gobber burped into his prosthetic hand and surveyed him with beady eyes.

"I can see that. Ye were always kind of quiet, hunched over a desk drawing or making teaching plans with every spare minute. Now ye seem... lighter."

"I am. Dad never wanted to see that I was more like mom than him. I never wanted it to come to this Gobber, but I couldn't take it anymore."

"Ye did what was best for yerself. If he cannae see that, then let me know and I'll get me hammer."

Hiccup laughed, finding Gobber even better company when he wasn't exhausted after getting back from teaching only to bury himself in six hours of car repairs with his dad periodically yelling at him.

"Thanks Gobber. Oh, by the way, I won't be a teacher much longer."

"What did ye do? Ye only qualified year before last!"

"Not like that. Mom sent my designs to Dragon Wheels, and they liked them so much they asked me in for an interview. Long story short... I'm starting with them in August. Designer and prototype builder. And he thought drawing and playing with bikes was a waste of time."

They chatted for another hour, Hiccup letting the beer work itself out of his system and supplementing it with water until Gobber finished his drink.

"I guess I'll see you soon. Did you tell dad you were meeting me?"

"No. Would ye prefer I didn't?"

"If you don't mind, yeah. I'll uh, I'll tell him myself when I see him. But I have a movie date with a cute girl tomorrow, so... I better get home."

Gobber laughed, congratulating Hiccup on 'finally landing a girl' and they stood to leave together. Hiccup was feeling relatively positive, even about seeing his dad again...

Until he walked right into him outside the bar.

"Oh, um. Hey dad."

Astrid had butterflies and it was driving her crazy. Butterflies and cramps were a very unhappy mix. She had had an almost frightening amount of sex in a short time with Hiccup, and yet the prospect of a normal date with movies and no sex? That was terrifying.

At least she was still on her period, forcing her libido sky high but unable to be satisfied because the one time she had tried sex during that particular week... she was so oversensitive it was just painful. That plus the intensity of Hiccup... even Astrid wasn't that brave. So the 'no sex' rule was safe.

"I had kind of a weird night, is it ok if I tell you all about it tomorrow?"

Astrid was still in shock about how openly Hiccup was about wanting to talk now, when her trying to pry open his feelings gently had done a great job of breaking them up.

"If you want to."

She didn't want him to feel forced. He obviously wasn't used to talking about feelings all the time, and when he had told her a little about growing up she understood why. So as much as she wanted to carve open his soul and know everything about him... she couldn't. She had to work a little patience.

Her cramps decided then would be a great time to surge up, aching something fierce in retaliation for her uterus being unhappy to have no baby in. Well, suck it up because Astrid refused to be pregnant before she was done getting educated, picking a career... even settling down with a guy. As inevitable as Hiccup felt right now, Astrid knew she wasn't to foolishly assume everything would be perfect now.

Doubled over and gasping in pain, she took a few breaths and was about to reach for painkillers when the door knocked. Typical. Swallowing her pain for a second, she stood up straight and managed to walk normally to the door. Her heart skittered when she checked the peephole, seeing messy autumn hair and that dorky face. Pulling open the door, Hiccup smiled nervously.

"Leather free, as promised. Except the boots."

"Hello would have worked too yanno."

"Good point. Hi?"

Astrid laughed, stepping aside to let Hiccup in. He stepped in and waited for the door to close, then held up a supermarket bag like a prize.

"Pretty sure I only told you to bring one thing."

"What's a movie date without snacks?"

Astrid smiled, then felt a fresh wave of pain in her lower half and couldn't suppress the wince. Hiccup noticed easily, placing the bag down and stepping closer to her with concern on his face.

"Are you alright?"

"Mhmm. Cramps."

She half expected him to recoil, but he just nodded in understanding.

"You have pain stuff? Or do you want some of mine?"

"You carry painkillers?"

"Only when I'm walking alot."

"Gods, your leg. Of course."

Hiccup placed a hand on her lower back, guiding her to the nearest seat and going back to take off his boots and pick up the bag on the floor. This put her back in reach of her beautiful medication, popping the pills eagerly and waiting for Hiccup to freak out

"You could have said if you didn't feel like company."

"I got my period, not pneumonia. They don't normally hurt this bad, but I changed my pill a couple of months ago so maybe it's an adjustment thing."

She sighed a second later, not wanting to bite his head off just because of hormones.

"Ok. So... mind if I help myself to your kitchen and make you a hot chocolate?"

He looked like a sad puppy trying to get affection, utterly adorable and she wanted to throttle him for it.

"Cups there, cutlery there."

She pointed, and Hiccup did exactly as he promised, presenting her with a steaming mug of delicious joy. Despite it being the same powder and milk, it tasted better than when Dagur made it.

"Mmm, so good. You had this before?"

"No, but it smells amazing."

Hiccup sipped his own frothy cup, humming happily at the taste and Astrid cursed the pulsing desire in her hormone-flushed lower half. Resolutely ignoring it, she focused on the fact painkillers were working now.

"Ok, now I no longer feel like homicide, you wanna watch a movie or talk about your night?"

"Talk, then movie? That way I can remember I've got a date with a cute girl to cheer me up."

Damnit, he was cute and dorky and irresistible even in just his slimfit black jeans and dark green t-shirt. Astrid had hoped not letting him be leatherclad would help... nope.

"Sure. Whenever you're ready."

"So when I was out with Gobber last night, it was all going pretty well. I left in a good mood, even though I was still nervous about seeing my dad. Turns out, he was right outside. Gobber swears he didn't tell dad we were meeting and I mostly believe him, but it was still kind of jarring to run right into him. Have you ever seen my dad? It's like colliding with a brick wall."

Astrid nodded, knowing Stoick 'the Vast' was one of few people who made Dagur look small. It was hard to compete with a guy at about seven foot tall and weighing four hundred pounds. Hel, the guy had been seen lifting cars with his bare hands.

"So... that was a little awkward. He didn't really say anything, just that disappointed scowl like someone skimped on the meat in his sandwich. I tried to tell him I was planning to come see him, but I don't really think he listened. Gobber said he would work on him for me, so... at this moment in time, I think that maybe I can't do what you asked me to. I'm sorry."

He looked heartily disappointed, like winning Astrid back over was his ultimate goal right now. Astrid was starting to struggle holding onto the previous notion she had, that he had only wanted her for sex.

"It's ok, I'll give you an extension on your homework. Anything else you wanna talk about?"

He looked up, face breaking into a smile at her homework joke. It faded somewhat as he continued thinking, looking up at her.

"I uh, got a call this morning from the nurses who help take care of my grandfather. They said he's starting to detoriate, and if we wanna see him while he still remembers us, we ought to go soon. I was already planning to ask dad if he would visit him with me."

"But his not speaking kinda put a dent in that?"

"Yeah. Dad will have got the same call, so I'm thinking I'll just face the beast and go talk to him tomorrow, just for that. Gramps shouldn't miss out because Haddocks are stubborn."

Astrid watched him contemplate, knowing there was more.

"Anything else?"

"It's... It's alot to ask, but I was kinda hoping you would come with me. He's always asking if I've landed a lass yet, but I'm not sure he's gonna be around long enough for me to win fair maidens heart. I just wanted to-"

Hiccup didn't finish the sentence, because Astrid kissed him. He tasted sweet and buttery from the drink, his surprised intake of breath soon fading as he kissed her back. He looked doe-eyed and dopey when they separated, looking at her in awe.

"What was that for?"

"Because... because I think that was the sweetest thing I've ever heard. I would love to."

He brightened, looking like he carried his own personal sun inside him for a moment.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Come on, movie."

Hiccup smiled, all lopsided and dorky and she wanted to kiss him again... he made it very hard to try and restrain herself. Damn idiot with his sweetness.

"You go pick, I'll refill our drinks."

Astrid meandered through to the living room, perusing the DVD shelves and knowing it was not a good idea to have him come watch a movie in her room. The sofa was much safer.

"The Woman In Black?"

"I have a thing for Daniel Radcliffe. But you won't be here long enough for a Harry Potter marathon."

Hiccup placed the mugs down, brimming with sweet-smelling liquid and held up his hands in defence.

"I must confess, I've never seen the movies."

"What? How is that even possible?"

Hiccup shrugged, lowering his hands now he wasn't worried to be attacked.

"I had no friends to go see them with, and as I got older I just thought it was weird to get into now."

Shaking her head in disbelief, Astrid decided she could help this poor lost soul.

"Right. I'm gonna fix that... not today, but I'm going to educate you. Make you watch one every night or you don't get lucky."

That came out a little fast... Astrid scolded herself internally, then patted the sofa for Hiccup to sit next to her as the main screen came up. He wisely didn't comment on Astrid saying they would almost definitely be having sex in the future. Good.

"If you need to hold my hand during the scary bits, its ok."

Hiccup mock-scowled, then pouted.

"Am I not allowed to just hold your hand anyway?"

"Hmm. It is a pretty scary movie."

Hiccup's fingers slid through hers, squeezing once then settling as the movie started up. His thumb periodically ran over the edges of her fingers, rubbed circles in the back of her hand and it was bizarrely intimate considering they had been rather more intimate. Many times.

By the time they had finished the hot chocolates, the crazy ghost woman had started jumping out a lot and Astrid had surrendered to the desire to crawl into his arms, which Hiccup allowed silently, embracing her gently and shifting to lie behind her on the sofa without a word. All the irritation in the world couldn't change that he just felt right wrapped around her, feeling his heartbeat against her back and the way his fingers would play along her bare forearm leaving tingly trails over her skin.

As the movie ended, Astrid forced herself to get up, needing the bathroom. When she turned to look at Hiccup, there were tears in his eyes.

"Are you alright?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah" he wiped his damp eyes, a few tears clinging to the lashes "just a sad ending."

Ok, he officially wasn't allowed to become any cuter or Astrid would come dangerously close to melting. She excused herself to the bathroom to get a hold , come on! and then empty her bladder, finding her reflection had a stupid grin on. When she got back downstairs, Hiccup was on the phone.

"Hold on, I'll ask her" Hiccup looked up at Astrid from the sofa "mom wants to know if either of us are planning to come to work today? She promises zero lectures or questions about us dating or whatever it is we are."

Astrid had missed the animals greatly, and now her uterus seemed to have taken a break from protesting at her, she felt much better.

"Sure, but I need to eat first."

Hiccup nodded, relaying the information to his mom.

"We'll be there in a little while, ok? Yeah, love you too mom."

There it went again, that gooey feeling Astrid couldn't shake at how he said that to his mom on the phone. In front of her, no less. She pulled him to his feet after he hung up, kissing the idiot she couldn't help but want and he took the surprise contact in stride, gentle hands on her waist as he kissed her back.

Her stomach decided to ruin the moment this time, growling angrily at being ignored. They broke apart, Hiccup actually laughing lightly.

"Alright, alright. I need to feed you. I did bring snacks but they got forgotten."

Astrid immediately went for the bag, finding an amusing array of sweets and taking a hungry bite out of the nearest chocolate bar. If Hiccup couldn't handle Astrid's lacking ladylike manners, well... they wouldn't last very long. Under the sweets were the chocolate-coated seeds and fruit he obviously knew she liked, which Astrid tossed in her bag with a protein bar to carry over to the nature centre with them.

"If you want I can continue this date vibe, and we can go eat at the cafe in the Nature Centre."

"There's a cafe? I never knew this."

"That's because you're too busy checking me out. Or fighting ducks. Who can tell?"

Astrid scowled, but she was too hungry to care enough to hurt him.

"Alright, lead the way."

"Can I use your bathroom first?"

"Oh, sure. First on the right upstairs."

"Thanks."

She watched his ridiculously long legs and cute butt all the way upstairs, knowing she needed to get a handle on her sex drive when she started thinking how Hiccup had his cock out right now, which was disturbing to say the least. Hopefully some fresh air, food and hard work would deal with that.

Hiccup came back down, all dopey grins and messy hair. Astrid scratched out that assumption. Hiccup was getting lucky the second Astrid was able to, she decided. Damn hormones.

-HTTYD-

It's actually getting quite comfortable under this rock