HELLO! :D This is my SECOND update today, I believe. I did quite a few yesterday. I know, some people don't like Modern AUs, and that's fine by me. You don't have to read it. :) Shout-outs:
silverwolvesarecool: Thank you! And yeah, I'm Astrid whenever I play a video game, only I've never thrown a controller before. :)
Hiccup fell asleep halfway through "The Return of the King." They had watched the first and second one, having to restart or rewind (or both at times) them each a fair few times because they kept getting caught up in chattering or talking or laughing. Once he was asleep, Astrid decided that she would head to her own house. It was nearly midnight, and she hadn't given her mother an exact time when she would be returning, so she figured she should probably go ahead back.
And so, she turned off the TV, took off Hiccup's glasses for him and set them on the nightstand, looked on last time at him sleeping on the couch, Toothless curled on his lap, and then headed back to her own abode.
...
The next morning, Astrid ran down to breakfast. Her mother was already seated at the table, and then when she saw Astrid, motioned to a plate across from her. Astrid nodded, thanked her mother, and then sat down and dug into her food.
"So," said Astrid, "I was going to ask you about going back to Hic...Hadley's place again."
Her mother nodded. "I figured you would," she said. "I'm needed at the shop this morning. You can go over, just so long as you get back, preferably before midnight this time, okay?"
"Okay," said Astrid. Her mother worked at a local pawn shop. She wasn't needed on too many occasions, but when she was, she was desperately needed.
"Alright," her mother stood, grabbed her coat and scarf, and made for the door. "No later than nine tonight. Okay? Keep in touch."
"Okay," Astrid agreed. "Have a good day."
"You too," said her mother. Then, she left. Another instant later, Astrid jumped up from her seat, and ran back up stairs. Stormfly was on her perch where she was always found, and she squawked at her master.
"You wanna come with me, girl?" Astrid asked. Stormfly spread her wings, flew, and alighted on Astrid's shoulder, which was her way of saying yes. Astrid smiled, grabbed her sweatshirt, and got ready to leave, when she saw her violin case leaning up against the wall. Sighing, she went over and grabbed it. She could take it, and then show Hiccup some of what she knew. He would love it.
Then, she ran down the stairs (much to Stormfly's dismay), bolted out the door, and headed off.
She knocked on Hiccup's door only once before she heard his voice call out, "Come in." She opened the door, and headed inside.
"Morning, Astrid," said Hiccup. "Morning, Stormfly."
"Morning Stormfly," repeated Stormfly.
"Oh come on," said Astrid. "She only repeats with you, and Ruff."
Hiccup laughed. "You're here early," he commented.
"Not really," said Astrid. "It's nine o'clock."
"Oh, well, I guess I slept in," said Hiccup. "How are you doing?"
"Good," said Astrid. "And you?"
"Can't complain, can't complain," he replied simultaneously.
"How's your ankle feeling?" said Astrid.
"Better than yesterday," said Hiccup. "Still sore, but not as bad as it was yesterday. I was able to get my guitar case from my room earlier today without too much of a problem." He gestured to the case on the floor.
Astrid moved over and sat down beside him, setting her violin case upright against the couch. Stormfly chirped at Hiccup, and he stroked her head for just a second before averting his gaze to her instrument case.
"You didn't tell me you brought your violin," said Hiccup.
"Well, yeah," said Astrid. "I was thinking, maybe you would like to hear it, since you said you wanted to the other day, but I just didn't know. I don't want to bore you, or anything."
"Oh, don't worry about it," said Hiccup. "Just sitting here on the couch doing nothing while Toothless paces back and forth is really getting boring enough. I can't exactly play guitar with Toothless trying to sleep on it every time I strum it, either."
"Oh, well okay," said Astrid.
"Can you play some now?" Hiccup asked.
"If you want me to," said Astrid.
"Sure, go on ahead," said Hiccup. "I'm watching."
"That's creepy," said Astrid.
"While that may be true," said Hiccup, "doesn't change the fact that I really want to hear it."
"Okay, I'm going to start then, if that's what you really want," Astrid unzipped her violin case and took out her instrument. "I'm a...little out of practice," she admitted.
"I wouldn't fret," said Hiccup.
"Was that a musical pun?" said Astrid.
"Yes, yes it was," said Hiccup.
She was tempted to hit him with her violin.
"What?" said Hiccup. "What's with the blank expression?"
"No comment," said Astrid. "You like puns?"
"Not really," said Hiccup. "Only the good ones."
Astrid rolled her eyes and got in her violin position. Taking a deep breath, she started playing. And she...was...good, if Hiccup were to say the very least. She played two fast ones, and then some slower ones along with that as well. Hiccup remained silent, only because he was too awed to say anything.
When Astrid finished playing, she set her instrument in bowing position and then looked back at Hiccup. He applauded wholeheartedly and gave her a thumbs up.
"That was awesome," said Hiccup. "How long have you played?"
"A few years, or something like that," said Astrid while shrugging. "Do you like it?"
"I think it's awesome," said Hiccup. "Can you play another one?"
And so she did just that. She had played her violin lots in the past when she first began at schools and such, but this was different. Playing for fun, when no one could judge her...and plus, having an audience who was completely in love with music and instruments made it all the more enjoyable for her.
As she had told Ruff; Hiccup was different. He was different than any other person Astrid had ever known or met at any past date. He was different in every way he could have possibly been so.
Astrid was just now realizing that different was good.