Hi there! :D SOOOOO SORRY for the long wait, but I'm finally back with a new chapie for all of you who enjoys this story (:
I can't thank you all enough for taking time to read this! From the bottom of my heart, I love you!
Enjoy!
Chapter 9: Astrid
For once, I'm glad I can't hear. Otherwise my brain would diiiiee…
I am never getting that drunk again. Period.
I shuffle a bit, slowly opening my eyes. The first thing I see is white, and then a familiar pastel green. I'm in my room? But how did I…? The memories cascade down on me, as I remember last night.
The party is awesome! I might be a bit tipsy, but whatever! I'm having a great time.
"Astrid, do you know how many shots you've taken?" Hiccup asks, taking a firm grip on my shoulders. Is it just me, or did he become taller? I stare straight at him, laughing.
"No? Who cares, Hiccup? Can't a girl have a bit to drink once in a while?" I say, leaning in over him.
"Not as much as you've had. Even I have lost count of how many shots you've taken. And then there's all the other booze from earlier." He says, talking rather slowly. I stare at his lips, bearing a mischievous smile.
"Hiccup…" He bends his neck to look down at me. He really has gotten taller!
"Yes, Astrid?" He hauls me up a bit, and he got… lower again? Can he do magic or something?
"You're reeeaaally cuuute. Do you know that? Why did Jack get that nickname? You should have that one." I laugh a bit, and Hiccup seems to blush.
"You're too drunk to even mean such a thing. Just listen, you're…"
"I'm not listening to anything you have to say, Hiccup! When I say you're cute, you're cute! I mean it! Though also quite handsome…" I lean in again, closer and closer to his face. I subconsciously pucker my lips, and press them heavily upon his.
"Mm... No, Astrid. Please, you're too drunk to mean this. Come on, let's go outside." He says, and drags me pass drunk, dancing teens.
"Yeah, outside. Out there I can have you all to myself!" I giggle, suddenly feeling a bit dizzy.
"Hiccup, can you see the stars? Aren't they pretty?" I ask with a big smile on my face.
"Stars? But we aren't even… Okay, seriously, Astrid. That's it. You're ruining yourself."
"I'm NOT!" I shout at him, gaining few people's attention. They laugh and point at me, but I can't hear anything of it.
"Hold it, Astrid! You wanna destroy yourself? Fine, but not on my watch. I'll make sure you gonna get home. Right now." He says, and picks up his phone.
"What?! Noooo, Hiccup. Don't be such a party pooper!"
He completely ignores me, and then talks to Jack, it seems, based on his semi-incoherent words, and the rushed mention of Elsa.
The next thing I remember is a car, and somebody carrying me.
Who carried me home last night? I… I don't seem to remember.
I get out of bed slowly, trying to be as gentle to my brain as possible. I hate hangovers. I manage to lead my toes into my fluffy slippers, and I start to slowly pull on the nearest shirt.
I stop once I've pulled on one sleeve. This isn't mine… I wrinkle my nose, taking it off again.
"What the…" The shirt is deep red with a black collar and transparent buttons. It's a men's shirt…
"Hiccup…?" I ask myself, looking around my room. Nothing is changed, but as I look back at the shirt, everything becomes clear.
It was Hiccup that carried me home last night. We were in Jack's car, and Elsa and Anna were there too. I remember Anna being at the party, and she freaked out over Hans, after he made out with her, and then went on to another girl within a few minutes. She cried and cried. Even as she got in the car, she was sobbing in Elsa's arms.
I remember a strong set of arms lifting me, but I don't know for how long. I remember a light touch on my scalp and…
I instantly reach out for my hairline, dropping my jaw.
Hiccup kissed me last night…
Okay, I kissed him too, but it was the most stupid kiss ever. It meant nothing! …Right? I can't fall for Hiccup! …Can I? I sigh deeply, grabbing out for my phone on my bed table. 11:40 AM. Wow. I open for my messages, finding Elsa.
Hey, Els. Can we talk? Five minutes pass, and my phone vibrates.
Be there in 5
Elsa
"So, what up? The hangover killed you yet?" I ask, settling down on Astrid's bed.
"Almost. I feel like I'm going to die, but that's not why I brought you over here, or me being drunk is part of it…" Her hands hesitate, while her eyes look nervously at me.
"What's the matter, As? Something wrong?" I ask worriedly, inching closer to her.
"Yeah… no… I don't know! You already know that I was smashed last night, right?" She asks, starting out slow.
"Yes. I was in the car when you passed out. How much did you get to drink?" I ask.
"I don't even want to know. But it's still not why I asked you to come over… Els, Hiccup, he…" She halts in her signing, as her phone vibrates.
"Speaking of the devil." She signs, smiling weakly. "He worries for my hangover, and asks if I'm alright after last night." She briefs me, putting her phone down without answering.
"Hiccup, he…You probably know that I kissed him while being drunk, and it meant nothing, I swear! It really didn't. But then… I remembered this morning that it was Hiccup that carried – carried – me in last night, and tucked me in my bed. I then also remembered… that he kissed me on the forehead. It was light and gentle, but it was definitely there. Elsa, what should I do?" She asks, looking at me desperately. I think about it for a while, before answering.
"Hmm… I think you should talk to him, instead of me, Astrid. He just texted you right? He cares for you when you're at your worst."
"He's just being a good friend, that's all." She defends, emphasizing the "friend"-part.
"So a friend just walked you in – carried you bridal style – tucked you in, and kissed your forehead? No, a friend, would drag you in by the shoulders, and lay you on the bed. Hiccup was overly gentle and careful with you last night. I think you two really need to talk." I sign, crossing my arms, as I finish.
"You really think so? What… what should I say?" She asks, looking a little bit helpless. I cock an eyebrow in her direction, smiling a bit.
"Isn't it really, how you're going to say it?" I ask, and her cheeks turn red.
"Elsa! I'm not in love with Hiccup. Really! Last night meant nothing!" She says, but hesitates afterwards.
"What?" I ask, smiling wider.
"It's just, that the night before last night, I hung out at Hiccup's place, and he asked me for a dance at the party. I said yes, and I'll admit, I do not regret dancing with him. He's really cute, I guess, if you like that unassuming, heroic ice staking type." She blushes, looking away.
"Heroic? How so?"
"Well, he… he… you know!" She exclaims, forcing her gaze back on me, cheeks still burning red.
"Because he saved your ass last night?" I laugh, bending over.
"As a matter of fact, yes. You guys were a bit occupied yourself. You with Anna, and Jack with you. Hiccup made sure I was alright mostly before, but also after you arrived."
"So, you say that Hiccup is your knight shining armor, and that you've not fallen for him? Girl, get your junk together and just kiss him for god's sake." I sign. She crosses her arms, looking intensely at me.
"Easy for you to say, Ms. Sober. You didn't embarrass yourself, drunk, in front of Jack, now did you?" She smiles, suddenly smirking.
"Speaking of which… How did your date go?" She asks, looking at me. I start to blush a bit at the memories from before the party last night.
"That's not why you asked me to come, Astrid. I'm telling you again, you need to talk to Hiccup about last night. If you're in doubt about some of the things that happened, you should try to ask the other part and listen to his story."
"You think he has a reason for doing what he did?" She asks.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"So you're actually suggesting that he's… with… me?"
I can only nod, as the realization seems to sink in.
Hiccup
Hey, Hiccup. Can we talk? Can I come by at your place? The message ticks in in the afternoon, taking me a bit by surprise.
Yeah, sure. It's just me and Toothless. Pop by whenever you want. I type back. As I look up from my phone, I realize what a drawing mess my room actually is.
I quickly run around my room, sweeping papers together and placing them neatly stacked on my desk. My bed is a mess, but I figure, we're going to sit in it anyways.
I open the window for some fresh air, it hits me.
She wants to talk about last night. Oh gods, does she remember what happened? Does she remember all of it? What if she does? Will this change our already a bit fragile friendship? Oh gods, why was I so stupid? Why did I have to kiss her? Hiccup, you're an idiot.
I didn't get any further thoughts, for Toothless' barking sends me back to reality. She's here.
"Hey, Astrid." I smile gently as I open the front door. I let her in, and she greets Toothless, who seems happy that Astrid has returned.
We venture into my room, and we settle down on my bed. Astrid seems hesitant, and I twist my hands, trying to start the conversation.
"You eh… You do know why I'm here, right?" She asks, and I nod.
"Before you say anything, Astrid, just know that, I didn't know what came over me, okay? I really didn't think. My brain was shut off, and I was a…"
"Hiccup? You're mumbling, and you're signing is minimal. Could you say that again, please?" I look up at her, with a warm smile. She seems confused of my expression.
"You're voice… I'm still getting used to hearing it." She smiles weakly back.
"And I'm still getting used to using it." She confesses. I look surprised at her.
"You're not using your voice around your family?" I ask, signing to her relief. She shook her head looking down.
"No… I mean what's the point? My mom's never really at home and my stepfather… well he's not as engaged in the Deaf Culture as he could be." She says, still not looking up.
She… she's really that lonely? She really only has Elsa to talk to? What kind of parents does that to their children? Okay, who am I to talk… I gently put my hand on her shoulder, telling her, that I need to say something. She slowly raises her gaze, and her eyes are puffed and a little bit reddened. I frown at her, inching closer.
"I know how you feel, Astrid. Believe when I say, that I do."
"What do you mean? You've got your father and your uncle! You've got two adults close to you." She says, sniffing.
"That's not true. I do have my father and uncle, yes. But, I see my father for an awkward half an hour at dinner, and again ten minutes in the morning, if I'm lucky. My uncle… He is like a second father to me, but he's not the real deal. I miss my dad. Just like I'm sure you miss your mother." I blurt out. My signing could far from cover it, but I think she got my lip sync.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Hiccup. Sometimes, life is cruel, and you just have to learn to live with that." She says, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. I smile weakly back her, catching myself focusing at her lips.
It brought me back the situation at hand. I'd never imagined I'd talk about sensitive, depressing family-stuff with her. I clear my throat, straightening my back a bit.
"Well, on that cheery note, what did you actually want to talk about?" I ask, neutralizing my expression.
"Oh, yes. I wanted to talk to you about last night… I eh… I remember you taking care of me. And… I also remember that." She says, and I already know what she's referring to.
"Yeah, about that… I'm really sorry, Astrid. As I mumbled before, I don't know what came over me. I just… It happened, and I don't know where we go from here. It was an idiotic thing to do it last night."
"Idiotic? I wouldn't say that. Maybe just… bad timing. Hiccup, how… how do you feel about me? I need to know for sure after last night."
"Really? I would think that what happened last night might tell you that perfectly."
"Hiccup, I need to hear it… well not hear, but you know what I mean. I need to know it from you. verbally." I look down, flexing my fingers. I take a deep breath, puzzling with the words in my head.
"Okay. Astrid, I eh… I would very much like if… I just… I feel like… you're amazing, Astrid. After these… has it been a week yet? I eh... I just think that I… Ihaveacrushonyou…" Her eyes widen a bit, her cheeks burn red, and her lips pull a bit on the right side.
"You… have… on me?" Her voice says aloud, and I can only nod.
"Ever… ever since I saw you in the hallway…" I confess, not sure on how to continue on from here. I just confessed something that could ruin everything.
"Hiccup, I… I don't know what to say. Really. I've never been in a situation like this."
"Then don't say a thing. If you'd like, we can pretend this never happened, and then go out and do something physical? I could really use to clear my head." I say, rising from the bed. She looks a bit confused at me, but nods.
"Yeah, sure. I'm in on the nothing-happened-here-thing. What you wanna do?" I smirk a bit at that, grabbing my skates from my closet.
"Have you ever been on a rink?" She smiles back, rising from my bed.
"Actually, no. It's one of the things I've never done. Even though Elsa loves it, I've never joined her."
"Elsa's good on the skates? Guess Jack's going to love it." He smirks, and we leave his house, together.
9th chapie! Atm, I'm reading the last installment of the best romance ever, so I'm a bit slow on the fanfic-writing. Also, next week I'm going home from our vacation house to hang out with friends, so I think I'll be able to post once next week. We'll see. Though, stuff right now is a lot of fluff, who knows how long it'll last? I've got a plot… and that's all I'm saying for now! *evil giggle*
See ya!