Sixteen: HABS

"We've had a request for a live interview on the 'Ron the Viking Show'," Heather told the couple the next morning over breakfast. Hiccup had realised that she came over every morning so he had started making her breakfast as well as Astrid's porridge. Heather preferred bacon and scrambled eggs so she was hoovering her way through her plateful as she scanned her emails. "They've pencilled you in for the evening of Friday next week…"

"Can't do it," Astrid said flatly. "Away match on Saturday. Coach doesn't allow anything but Team Hotel the night before away matches. And that's a late programme. I wouldn't get home until midnight even if I was in Archi." Heather nodded. She had her own qualms about the request, for Ron the Viking was renowned as the meanest interviewer in the Archipelago, a man who ran his chat show by humiliating and taunting his guests usually to make himself look smart-and garner headlines of this show. Even with her preference for publicity to maximise the opportunity that the 'engagement' created, she wouldn't have suggested the show for her friend.

"I'll explain that to them," she promised. "Anyway-you have the match today, Ast! What can we expect?" The soccer player frowned.

"Visithug Vixens are pretty fierce," she admitted. "Last time we played, I ended up with stud-marks all down my leg. Their defenders are very determined."

"And you are even moreso," Hiccup said with a small smile.

"Team game, babe," she reminded him. "We have to be ready for their tactics-which tend to be really physical..." She glanced up. "I need to head in now-we'll have Team Talk and warm-up before the game."

"You can come to the ground with Dagur and I," Heather said to Hiccup easily. For a moment, she looked edgy and nervous before her cool mask was back in place. "And you'll be able to meet the other HABS."

"HABS?" Hiccup asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Well, you know how male soccer players have WAGS? Wives and Girlfriends?" Astrid asked him with an amused look in her eyes.

"Um...no. I was not aware of that," he admitted as she grinned.

"Well, we have HABS. Husbands and Boyfriends." He paused and then raised a finger.

"And where do fiancés fit in that acronym?" he asked teasingly.

"Lemme see-probably halfway between H and B," Astrid replied playfully.

"Actually, halfway between B and H is E, not F," Hiccup pointed out with a smirk. "F is closer to H."

"Which is as it should be," Astrid told him, rising to her feet and draining the last few drops of her fruit smoothie from her glass. She pecked a kiss on Hiccup's cheek before he could respond and then grabbed her hoodie and bag, heading for the door.

"Good luck, Ast!" Heather called after her as she opened the door.

"Good luck, Milady," Hiccup called. She grinned.

"I'll need it," she smirked and slammed the door. Immediately, the smile fell from his face and he rose and quietly cleared away Astrid's plate and glass, running hot water to wash them up.

"You know you don't have to do that," Heather told him, watching him closely. He shrugged.

"Don't contribute much more, to be honest," he said dully, scrubbing the bowl thoroughly. "I mean, I'm just here for eye-candy, aren't I?" Heather laughed and he turned round. "So what's funny?"

"Oh my Thor-you think you're arm candy? You should see the specimens in the HABS box," she chuckled. "I know Dagur is super-thrilled you're going to be there because I think he's really lonely when we go to support Ast."

"What-there aren't many?" Hiccup asked in surprise. He'd done a little checking and realised Astrid was considered a prize not only because she was beautiful, fierce and the Captain but also because she was pretty much the only one of the team without a partner. Heather chuckled again.

"Nope. Because that porridge you make could hold a better conversation than your counterparts," she told him.

"Don't include me in the HABS!" he protested. "I'm an F!"

"I'll check out the gossip channels and you can tidy up," she told him cheerfully. "But be ready-we leave at one."

oOo

Showered, shaved and dressed in new jeans, tee-shirt, sweater and leather jacket with his old boots, Hiccup was ready by five to one when the doorbell rang and Dagur arrived. Bounding into the apartment enthusiastically, the buff man was wearing an Archi Valkyries'-coloured Tam'o'Shanter, a huge woolly scarf in Valkyrie Red and a replica shirt over his normal black vest top.

"Hello, brother!" he grinned, hugging Hiccup warmly and the young engineer uncomfortably returned the hug. Man-hugs were not something that had largely featured in his life-especially not with his huge father-and someone as tactile as Dagur took some getting used to. "Are you excited yet?"

"Um...what?" Hiccup asked warily.

"About the match!" Dagur enthused. "The Vixens are a tough team and did the double over the Valkyries last season." Heather nodded.

"Their Centre Half really has it in for Ast," she added, accepting her scarf from Dagur.

"And we need everyone cheering for her," Dagur added seriously. "So here's your scarf, Brother, and we can cheer Astrid together!" Warily accepting the scarf, Hiccup nevertheless wound it round his neck and followed them to Dagur's car-a black and purple SUV with lightning bolts painted on the side. Sitting in the back, Hiccup fell silent as the siblings chatted about the upcoming match and how the Valkyries would deal with their opponents.

"Of course, our front line is much better this season and Astrid is the top scorer in the league so far," Heather commented. Dagur nodded as they swung down the boulevard. The stadium was up ahead, early spectators trailing along the roads as they headed in for the match. Hiccup craned his neck as they swung into the car park for the stadium, waving their pass as friends and family and parking close to the back.

Hiccup stared up at the structure-large covered stands ran along the long sides of the pitch with smaller stands at the goal ends with safe managed standing areas. The main entrance had the shield of the club over the doors and the door was busy with people coming in and out. The security guard on the door frowned as he saw Hiccup, though he nodded in recognition to Heather and Dagur. But surprisingly, Heather produced a pass and handed it to Hiccup.

"Hey, Anders-this is Hiccup Haddock, Astrid Hofferson's fiancé," she explained as the security guard inspected the new card carefully and then peered suspiciously at the tall, auburn-haired man and then he smiled.

"Welcome," the security guard said, taking Hiccup's hand and shaking it vigorously. "Anders Kalla. Astrid is the nicest girl I've met in thirty years at this club…and to meet someone who has captured her heart…well, you better look after her because we all care for her…" Returning the shake, Hiccup gave a self-conscious smile.

"I can guarantee I have no intention of ever letting her go," he said honestly as Anders leaned closer, his twinkling grey eyes thoughtful.

"I'll show you up to the partners' box," he offered. "And don't you mind those other wannabes. Between the lot of them, there isn't half the talent or grace your Astrid has."

"Thanks," Hiccup said, anxiety fluttering in his stomach then turned to Heather and Dagur, who was looking disappointed.

"Oh no-we go into Corporate hospitality with other agents and undesirables," Heather teased him. "Besides, Dagur is actually a die hard fan and he gets too loud for the HABS box…he's been banned three times already…" She winked. "We'll see you later." And with that, he was left with Anders, who cheerfully led him up the stairs to the third floor and along to a large box that was already filled with noise, with urban music playing in the background. Anders winked and opened the door, allowing Hiccup to walk into what seemed to be a trendy party.

A host of unfriendly eyes fell on his wary shape and he stared into an ocean of hair gel, trendy buzz cuts, piercings, tattoos and designer gear that cost more than he earned in a year. A handsome young man with three piercings in his left ear, one in each eyebrow and his nose and a large Maori tattoo down his buff left arm walked towards him. He tossed his long chestnut hair and give a sympathetic look.

"Okay, mate? Private party here. The stands are that way…" And he pointed to the door. Flatly, Hiccup stared back at him, ignoring the implication.

"Nope, this is the right place," he said more firmly. "Husbands, boyfriends…" He glanced around. "Girlfriends or possibly wives…" he added, seeing an attractive woman observing him carefully. "And of course, fiancés." The young man frowned. "I'm Hiccup Haddock, Astrid's intended. Who are you?" The tattooed and pierced man looked taken aback.

"I'm Raseri," he said incredulously. There was a pause and Hiccup stared at him, mildly uncomprehending. "You know, Raseri?" Hiccup shook his head.

"Nope, not ringing any bells," he told the other man, stinging his ego.

"Raseri!" he repeated irritably. "You know-top DJ in the Archipelago? Thousands attend my sets. Number Ones both sides of the Atlantic? Raseri!"

"I got nothing," Hiccup told him pointedly. The man looked incredibly pissed at the challenge.

"Look-that guy over there-Colden Edberg-he's the top male model in the Archipelago…" He indicated to a handsome blonde man with piercing blue eyes. "Hans and Olli are in Bloodline, the top Boy Band. Erik is on Radio Archi, Dane is in Viking Raiders…"

"So no one with a proper job?" Hiccup asked him sarcastically, thinking inwardly that his father would be appalled that none of these people were in traditional occupations…especially as they were acting as if they were superior to the people who-effectively-paid their wages by watching, listening to and buying their output.

"We're superstars!" Raseri snapped as the only female there walked forward. She was taller than he was with a dark blonde page-boy cut, green eyes and an unconscious elegance. Certainly she was striking and hers was the only friendly face in the room.

"And you certainly let people know it," she commented in a low, pleasant voice. "I'm Mala, Ulrika Olsen's partner." She smiled. "Astrid has been pretty down since that Dag business...we're so glad she's got you. She deserves someone decent!" He smiled then, because it would be his dearest wish…if it wasn't for the fact it was a lie. But he warmed to the woman, who seemed welcoming where the others clearly weren't.

"She deserves everything," he said quietly and Mala smiled, leading him to the buffet.

"Ignore the self-publicists," she told him in a low voice, pouring him a glass of wine. "Look-they're here because dating one of the Archi Valkyries is an enormous boost to their careers. The Valkyries are hot property…and most of those specimens crave the publicity from appearing at Night Clubs and Society Events with them! But half of them are on the wane or are talentless wannabes who are clinging onto a meal ticket." Hiccup sipped his wine and looked over at the group, all of whom were glancing his way and sneering comments.

"I gather you aren't part of the 'in' crowd," he commented. She chuckled, her eyes flicking to the sneering men.

"Rika and I have no issues with being gay but I do object to being called an 'ugly dyke' by some airhead who looks like he's tripped and landed on a pile of paperclips," she said easily, snagging a chilli-lime prawn and eating it quickly. "Basically, they're a group of over-pampered spoilt little boys! Mind you, unlike them, I do have proper job." Hiccup gave a small smile and grabbed a prawn as well, thinking how Heather would react if she knew.

"Which is?" he asked. Mala smiled and sipped her wine.

"Director of Archi Zoo," she said. "I love animals and we have a world-renowned collection of lizards. Rika is as besotted as I am and when she retires, she'll use the Zoology degree she's doing to work in the Zoo!"

"I'm an engineer at Berk Aero," he admitted. "And I'm new to this so…what are we supposed to do?" He glanced over at the guys who were joking and laughing-and he heard a derogatory comment that he knew was aimed at him. "Do they come out?" Mala shook her head.

"They appear at the final whistle and look excited," she reported. "They spend the rest of the time in here, enjoying the hospitality…" Hiccup frowned, his eyes sliding over the sneering guys.

"But I thought I was here to support Astrid…" he said as he rested his glass down.

"That's why they sneered at you," she pointed out. "They don't wear the scarf or the colours in case they clash with their designer gear!"

"Are you coming out?" he asked with insight and Mala nodded wryly.

"Rika and I are a team," she confirmed. "I wouldn't ever let her down!" Hiccup grabbed another salmon sandwich and ate quickly.

"I think it's almost time," he pointed out, seeing the clock at five to two and she nodded, finished her sandwich and following him out onto the stand outside the box, taking a seat on the front, just behind the paying spectators. He could see Heather and Dagur, deep in an intense conversation with a bearded man with twinkling dark eyes and a flamboyant tie matched with his navy trousers and strawberry pink striped blazer. But the crowd was cheering as the Valkyries walked out onto the pitch, Astrid in the lead and holding the hand off a small girl who was the mascot of the day. Astrid crouched down and hugged her before she ran off back her Dad and the team went into a huddle. The Vixens walked on with their mascot and lined up on the centre circle, waiting for the Valkyries who lined up opposite them.

They exchanged words and Hiccup felt anxiety grip his stomach. He hadn't watched Astrid play since High School, where he and her friends attended every match. Eyes focussed on her lithe shape in the red T-shirt with brown and white checkered shorts, her trademark leather headband restraining her braided hair, Hiccup almost jumped as the whistle blew and Astrid kicked off.

The match was fast and furious with the Valkyries attacking determinedly against the steadfast Visithug defence. There were a lot of fouls and Astrid was hacked down twice, with Dagur audibly yelling 'FOUL!' Visithug scored first but Hiccup was yelling himself in outrage.

"OFFSIDE!" he shouted. The flag stayed down. Mala rested a hand on his arm.

"I think she was on…" she murmured but Hiccup was furious.

"The scorer was beyond the last defender when the ball was played and it was touched directly to her from the number 11," he protested hotly. Mala stared at him-and then started laughing.

"You know-when you arrived, you looked like you wanted to be anywhere else but here…and now you're ready to jump on the assistant referee!" she chuckled. Hiccup stared at her and gave a sudden grin.

"I may not be a famous DJ or actor or singer…but I will protect Astrid as much as I can," he admitted as Mala swatted his shoulder.

"You know, I think we're going to get on," she smiled as they turned back to the match.

The Valkyries were still trailing at half time and as Hiccup and Mala came into the box, they froze, shocked, seeing the others sniffing some white powder from the table. Mala was frozen but Hiccup more direct, grabbing a glass of wine and dumping it all over the drugs. Immediately, the others all turned to glare at him and Colden the model shoved him back violently.

"What the Helheim?" he snarled. "That was ours…"

"And if you are caught, you'll be arrested!" Hiccup snapped. "Notwithstanding the damage it could do to whoever you're supposed to be supporting!"

"And what do you care?" Raseri sneered.

"More than you," Hiccup retorted. "You're supposed to be here supporting her-not getting drunk and doing drugs! And yet you didn't watch a second of the game! If you don't care, stop wasting our time and yours and just be honest! But don't compromise the team by your stupidity!"

"And who cares what you think, nobody!" Dane the actor sneered but Hiccup scowled at him.

"Do your adoring fans know what you're up to?" he asked pointedly. "Look-you risk your own reputation as well as your partner's!"

"And what would you know?" the actor sneered. He was a handsome man with dark eyes and deep oak-brown hair, his manicured beard perfect.

"Lemme think…as a mere man on the street, I'd think you were a load of freeloading nobodies who take from the team and put them at risk from a drugs ban if any of that…stuff…gets into her systems! You are aware it's a two year mandatory ban for illicit drugs?" Hiccup asked sarcastically.

"And how would this get into Hanna?" Olli asked sarcastically. He was cute young man with brown curls and bright amber eyes.

"Use your imagination," Mala cut in. "You wanna clear up the table or shall we call security…or the cops?" Dane glared.

"You really think you can tell us what to do in your first time here, Hiccup?' he sneered but the auburn-haired man returned his glare steadily.

"I love my fiancée, Astrid, and I would never do anything to harm or embarrass her," he said with such sincerity that the actor backed down and looked at him closely. Hiccup turned away as he glanced at Raseri, who was complaining to Hans, the other Boy Band member and then grabbed a bottle of water.

"How are we doing?" he asked and Hiccup sighed, finding himself a coffee.

"Trailing one-nil," Hiccup reported as the actor smiled.

"Ready for the famed Valkyries' second-half comeback!" he said. "I'll come out with you and Mala for the second half!"

They watched the second half with Dane-who was surprisingly knowledgeable about the game-and they all cheered enthusiastically when the Valkyries equalised and then scored a winner five minutes from time. And though Astrid didn't score, she set up the winning Valkyries goal. The other HABS filed out just in time for the final whistle-so they could be in the publicity shots-and Hiccup didn't mind that they ignored him, because he found himself despising them. They were using their girlfriends for publicity and not fulfilling their part of the bargain.

But Astrid was late, for she had additional duties as Captain so Mala and Dane said goodbye and went to find their other halves while the others blanked the auburn-haired man before they, too, bailed. Absently, he grazed the buffet, munching through a couple of breadsticks and hummus and pacing back and forward in the now empty box. Of course, he was being immensely hypocritical, feeling annoyed the other HABS for using their girlfriends when his not-actually-fiancée was using him for publicity and commercial purposes…but at least he was doing his part and acting the proper boyfriend. And he truly did want to support Astrid-as he had at High School-because she was amazing and fierce and gave everything in her soccer. And she was doing her duties and interviews as Captain, despite the fact the others had been released.

Unsure what he should do now, Hiccup opened the door to the box and wandered out into the corridor, heading past the commercial box where he had seen Heather and Dagur-but that was empty as well. Frowning, he checked his phone but there was no missed call and he forced his mind back to see if he had missed some instruction…but he couldn't recall anything. So he wandered back to the stairs and walked down to the entrance…but there was no one there, not even Anders. People were milling out in the car park-including Raseri and Erik-but he had no desire to mix with them now. All he wanted was to find Astrid… Glancing around, he saw the door to the lower walkway through the stadium and he paused, then walked through, following the line of the walkway until he reached a doorway marked 'TEAM ONLY'.

"I've come this far," he murmured and walked through, listening for the sounds of voices and quietly making his way to a door marked 'PRESS'. Inside, he could hear Astrid speaking and someone asking questions. Opening the door a crack, he saw banks of seats and about a dozen journalists asking her questions as she sat at a table with the team sponsors' logos displayed behind her, doing the post-match press conference. She was smiling and polite, carefully responding to every query-but to Hiccup's eye, she looked tired. Quietly, he slipped in and sat at the back, looking intently at her and as she scanned the room, she met his concerned emerald gaze.

Her eyes widened for a moment-and then she smiled.

"Is that it, everyone?" she asked, standing. She suddenly looked much happier and heads turned to see what had wrought the change. "Thanks very much for coming, guys. See you next time!" And they watched her as she walked off the stage towards the self-conscious shape of Hiccup-but he stood as she came towards him-and then she hugged him, feeling his arms wind around her. A genuine smile warmed her face as she stared up into his smiling face. Having an armful of a happy Astrid Hofferson was definitely his fantasy. So he leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek.

"You were amazing," he murmured. "And totally awesome, Milady." She smiled and stretched up, her lips meeting his softly.

"Thanks, babe," she whispered. "What are you doing here?"

"Everyone else vanished…" he murmured and she smiled. "I just went looking for you…"

"You know, you are just what I needed to see," she told him. "I'm always the last and no one ever waits for me. I have to go meet Cami in the parking lot…but for once, there's someone here for me…" He tightened his arms around her.

"I'm always here for you," he reminded her and she rested her head against his shoulder for a moment before pulling away and twining her hand with his.

"Then let's go home, Hiccup," she said as the journalists all watched them with smiles. Astrid was conscious that there were photos being taken but for once, she didn't care. Being weary and exhausted at the end of the match and after the Press Commitments was always mildly depressing, for she had only her empty apartment to go back to. But here was Hiccup, patiently waiting for her and even coming to find her…just when she needed him. And the prospect of having someone there with her the night after the match warmed her heart.

"Anything you wish, Milady," she said as they headed for the car.