Anger quickly replaced the initial shock and Astrid punched him. Hiccup hissed. "Should have seen that coming," he muttered, rubbing his arm.

Astrid folded her arms over her chest. "What do you want?"

"You."

Her fists curled again. "This isn't funny!" she spat. "What are you doing here? It's been three years since I last saw you!"

Hiccup sighed. "I know, and I will explain everything to you if you are willing to listen."

While still glaring, she let him past the threshold and into the living erea.

Hiccup slumped down on the leathered couch, eyeing every piece of expensive furniture. "Living quite the dream life?"

Astrid scoffed, seating herself on the other end. "What does it matter to you?"

Hiccup sighed again.

"You used to be one of my best friends Astrid, and that is why I'm here to warn you."

Astrid knitted her eyebrows. "Warn me about what?"

"Your husband."

Steven could feel sweat forming on his temple as he walked with a briefcase to the elevator inside the Berserk Inc. building.

He had been ordered to leave this case in Mr. Ryker Grimborn's office. Fortunately most people were on break at this time of the day so it didn't require Steven to be too discreet and stealthy. Those weren't really his top skills anyway.

Ryker's office was empty when Steven arrived and he looked around for any security cameras before placing the briefcase underneath the desk as told.

Just as Steven was about to exit the building, he ran into Eret who began following him to the parking lot.

"In a hurry?" Eret joked. Steven laughed nervously. "Yeah, yeah.. I need to go and pick up my kids, you know.."

Eret smiled, clapping him on the shoulder. "You are a good father, Steven."

Steven forced a smile, nodding.

"I don't understand," Astrid said with a frown. "Your mother was some kind of secret agent?"

"She used to work for the government and apparently had something on the Berserkers and Grimborns," Hiccup specified. "Dagur and his goons used me to blackmail her out of hiding," he spat bitterly. "They executed her right on the spot and then left me lifeless inside a burning villa."

"I still don't see how Eret is involved in any of this."

Hiccup snorted. "Where do you think all of this came from?" Hiccup gestured over the big mansion. "He sold me out for this."

Astrid leaned her face into her palms. "I don't know what to believe."

Hiccup grabbed her hands, looking at her pleadingly. "I'm not making this up, Ast."

Astrid laughed humorlessly. "Hiccup, you were gone for so long and now you suddenly show up again and tell me my life is all but a lie? Why should I even believe you? You left without a word! Disappearing from the face of the earth and you.. you broke my heart," the last part was a quiet whisper.

Hiccup touched her face. "There hasn't been a day that has gone by that I don't regret that," he told her earnestly. "Pushing you away, lying to you.. all these secrets. You were the only thing that was real."

Astrid closed her eyes, feeling his breath on her face. "You told me you didn't want me," she whispered.

"I lied," he murmured. "I tried denying it but the truth is I have and will always want you, Astrid."

Astrid snapped her eyes open, truly looking at him for the first time. She lifted her hand up to trace the scars on his face. "What did they do to you?"

Hiccup leaned into her touch, smiling ruefully at the painful memories.

"Thank you for giving me a ride, mate," Eret said.

Steven smiled stiffly. "I have a wife of my own, I can relate."

Eret chuckled. "I just hope I don't have to sleep in a separate room tonight," he mused. "Our first anniversary is coming up next week and I want to be on her good side."

"You really love her, huh?"

"More than anything," Eret said firmly.