A/N - I know this is late, again, and I apologize. I've kind of fallen off the ball this past week. I didn't want to rush this part because several things happen in quick succession. Also, to clear up any suspicions, Stoick and Astrid have never met before.

X

Chapter 21: Nice to Meet You

"Son?" Stoick asked, but his words were immediately lost. His face burned and he stumbled back a step. "Oh, hello,"

Astrid was speechless and held the blanket against her chest. Hiccup could feel his face burning as red as his father's.

"Dad," Hiccup shouted, "What the hell are you doing here?"

Stoick cleared his throat. "I told you, I'd be back in a month. I, uh, didn't expect you to have company."

Hiccup felt Astrid shift as he glared at his father. "Why didn't you call?!"

"I tried. You didn't answer."

Hiccup swallowed. He thought back to his cell phone. He'd left it lying on the counter in Astrid's place. He sighed, "Sorry, about that. Could you give us a moment?"

"Oh, yes, of course." Stoick mumbled and quick reached for the bedroom door and shut it.

Hiccup collapsed back onto the deflated air mattress and heaved a great sigh. He rubbed his face vigorously with both hands, trying to scrub the embarrassment from his face, and maybe if he rubbed hard enough he'd scrub himself from existence.

"That's your dad?' Astrid said quietly.

"Yeah," Hiccup nodded. "It's fine…just give me a moment."

Hiccup stood up and quickly clothed his bottom half. God, he'd never hear the end of this and there was no way his father wouldn't tell everyone. Groaning, Hiccup hurried to the living room, explanations running wild in his head, along with a quick escape plan out of the window and down the fire escape.

Stoick was standing on the far side of the room, staring out of the window, hands clasp in front of him, foot tapping. He cleared his throat as the bedroom door opened and closed. Hiccup caught his father's stare and they both quickly looked down to the floor as a fresh round of embarrassment ranged between them.

"Look," Hiccup started to explain, trying to choose which excuse, when his father's face interrupted him. He was still blushing, but his lips were stretching in the widest smile Hiccup had ever directed at himself. "What?"

"Oh, my boy's got himself a girl," Stoick said lowly, in a giddy voice that Hiccup was unsure how to handle ."I was worried that you'd never find one, let alone one that looks like a model. To be honest, I was half-expecting you'd bring home a boy instead."

Hiccup had something on the tip of his tongue, but with his father's admission it vanished. He sighed as his father leaned in closer to him and in a small voice asked, "She's not a hooker, is she?"

Of course, that's what he'd think. And of course he'd say it out loud. That's just how his father was, rash with words and a bit rude. Hiccup was about to say something again, words rediscovered, when the bedroom door opened and closed again, this time a bit more violent.

"No, I'm not a hooker." Astrid said, as haphazardly dressed as hiccup, but there was no blush on her cheeks to indicate her embarrassment. In fact, Hiccup was sure he small a small fury at his father's insinuation.

"Oh, well that is great news," Stoick said, clapping his hands together and reached out for hers. He took both of her hands in his and shook their warmly. "It is a pleasure to meet you, I'm Hiccup's father, Stoick."

"Astrid," she nodded as her hands were shaken without her consent.

Stoick let go and clapped his hands back together as he turned toward his son. "So, Son, you've had a month. What are your plans?"

"I'm going to school and moving in with Astrid." Hiccup said plainly, all in one breath, to make the hammer easer to swallow.

"School?" Stoick stuttered, his mouth gapping, his eyes wide and unblinking. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Hiccup nodded.

'That's a great plan!" Stoick thundered. "Tell you what, it's nearly dinner, let me take the two of you out. You can tell me all about your plans over something warm."

"No, it's okay Dad," Hiccup tried to excuse.

"No, no, consider this a make up for missing you on Thanksgiving. I insist." Stoick smiled between them like a father who couldn't be prouder. Hiccup was stuck.

"Alright, give me a little bit," Astrid said, putting her hands up and gesturing up to her hair. It had fallen out.

Hiccup swallowed again, reminded of the activity that his father had interrupted. He looked down at himself, half clothed, and the zipper of his jeans was down. He sighed, and followed Astrid into the bedroom, ignoring any glances from his father. She gratefully shut the door behind him and leaned against it, exhaling.

"That's your father?" Astrid whispered. "He's a giant!"

"I know," Hiccup nodded.

Astrid straightened her clothes and pulled her hair from it's messy updo. She wiggled her hands through it and braided it quickly and let it fall over her shoulder. She picked up his t-shirt from the floor and tossed it to him. Sighing, Hiccup pulled his shirt over his head.

Presentable at last, they accepted Stoick's irrefutable dinner offer. The weather was still pushing storms over the region, but it did not hamper Stoick's joyous attitude. Astrid offered to drive, and Hiccup watched his large father humorously squeeze himself into the backseat of the tiny car. They hadn't decided were to eat when they drove past a barely visible sigh.

"'Rachel's'?" Hiccup read aloud. He turned to Astrid whose face was void of expression, "Isn't that where you work?"

He saw her swallow, "Yes."

"Is it a restaurant?" Stoick asked from the back.

"Yes."

"What do you do there?"

"I'm a waitress." Astrid said in a monotone that Hiccup couldn't read. She was a bit pale as they drove past the inconspicuous food joint.

"Let's try it," Stoick piped.

Astrid's reaction was barely visible. Her lip twitched and her hands squeezed on the steering wheel. Her face blanched. "Okay,"

She pulled into the modest parking lot. She waited for them to open their doors before opening her own and locking Stormfly with a high pitched beep. She slipped the keys into her pocket and fell into step with Hiccup as the followed Stoick to the front door.

"You okay?" Hiccup whispered, barely audible.

She nodded in return.

They walked inside the dimly lit restaurant. It was busy, but not terribly. They waited a moment before a familiar voice greeted them, "Three?"

"Yes," Stoick answered first.

"Ah, table or a booth?"

Hiccup and Astrid saw their greeter at the same time. He was tall, built like a football player, with an obnoxious soul-patch of a beard. His black hair was tied back in a ponytail. He was dressed well and held three shiny menus in his hands.

"Ah, evening, Astrid." He nodded.

"Hi, Eret," Astrid said, her voice tight.

"Ah, a booth please," Stoick nodded.

"Right this way," Eret nodded and motioned toward the inner wall.

Hiccup remembered his voice and soon placed his face to that day at the library. He still didn't like him. He held a sense of arrogance about him, like he was entitled, and it annoyed Hiccup.

They sat, Stoick on one side and the two of the across from him, and immediately he directed their conversation.

"So, Astrid, you work here?" Stoick asked.

"Yes." Astrid nodded. "I wait on tables."

"Ah," Stoick nodded.

"I also go to school." Astrid added quickly.

"Oh? What are you studying?"

"English."

"You want to teach?"

"No, I'm not sure what I want to do. But it's a flexible degree."

"That's understandable. Are you from here?"

"No, I'm from California."

"California? That's quite a distant to travel for school."

"I wanted a change," Astrid shrugged.

"How did you and Hiccup meet?" Stoick asked Astrid, as if Hiccup was not there.

"At the library." Astrid said shortly. But Stoick was still waiting for more. "He was taking a really long time at the coffee machine. I said something, I don't remember what, and we kept bumping into each other after that."

"Ah, love stories usually have humble beginnings." Stoick smiled.

Hiccup felt his face redden. He swallowed.

"Hiccup, did you tell your father what you wanted to study?" Astrid asked quickly, nudging him in the side with her elbow.

"No, he hadn't," Stoick leaned in eagerly.

"Computers," Hiccup nodded, hand on his side.

"That's a broad net." Stoick said.

"Yeah, but I have two years of generals to work out the details." Hiccup sighed. "I was thinking something like engineering."

"Computer engineering?" Stoick repeated. "That's a worthy field right there."

Hiccup was relieved not to see his father's disappointed scowl. Although, he suspected that Astrid's presence had a great deal to do with it.

"What do you plan to do about work?" Stoick asked, just as Eret returned to the table with their drinks.

"Are we ready?" Eret asked.

"What are you specials?" Stoick asked proudly.

Hiccup watched Astrid twiddle her fingers underneath the table as Eret rattled off a short list of dishes. Stoick considered them and finally choose one. Astrid quickly ordered chicken and Hiccup copied her. Eret walked away and Hiccup caught Astrid's quick turn inward as a middle aged couple walked into the restaurant. Hiccup followed the path that Astrid had so quickly adverted from. The older gentleman's eyes scanned the room and lingered for a moment too long on Astrid. They quickly caught Hiccup's stare and a flash of dislike spread on his face.

"So, Son, are you planning to work and go to school?"

"Yeah," Hiccup nodded.

"That's a horrible idea, you'll be exhausted and you'll slip in your schoolwork." Stoick said.

Hiccup stared. He'd thought for sure that his father would want him to keep working to pay for it all. "But I need to buy stuff,"

"Don't worry about it." Stoick shook his head. "As long as you keep your grades up, I'll help you with tuition."

"Really?" Hiccup said in disbelief.

"Of course," Stoick nodded. "However, I expect A's."

"Sure." Hiccup nodded. Getting A's couldn't be that hard. He was second of his class in High School, of course, that was Berk, and competition was slow.

The meal went by in a parade of questions and answers, updates from Berk, and stats of the school. Hiccup breathed relief as Astrid played with her food. She had barely eaten anything. Hiccup held her to-go box on his lap as they drove back to Hiccup's apartment where Stoick insisted he helped them move.

At the end of the day they were both glad to see him off at the airport. Hiccup offered to drive and Astrid slunk in the passenger seat with her arms around her knees.

"You alright?" Hiccup asked.

"Yeah," Astrid said quietly. "I'm just tired,"

"I'm sorry about my dad." Hiccup added quickly. "He's really…forward."

"No, he's fine. He kind of reminds me of you, a little." Astrid said, turning to look at him. "He's got your awkward charm."

"He does?" Hiccup kept his eyes on the road. He'd never thought of his father as awkward.

"Yeah," Astrid was smiling. She was asleep before they got home.

X

The weekend came around and Hiccup was happy to give his boss a two week notice. The balding man was indifferent, however. Hiccup reached into his pocket and pulled out the keys to Astrid's car. She refused to let him call a taxi and insisted that he take her car. He stepped out into the cold December night, feeling as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, and was unprepared to do anything but go straight back to the apartment. His and Astrid's. Theirs.

He stepped toward her car and didn't see the figure leaning against it until he spoke, "Hey there,"

Hiccup jumped back, prepared to scream for his life and run, but his panic subsided when he recognized the face. It was Eret, cross-armed and laid back, looking strangely out of place without his suit, and much less inviting.

"Hi," Hiccup said slowly, feeling the keys in his hand.

"This is a nice car you've got, a little girly, but I suppose it's okay." Eret said, standing up and running his fingers along the blue paint.

"It's Astrid's," Hiccup said.

"I know," Eret smiled, his lips crocked, "I was just messing with you,"

"Oh," Hiccup nodded. This was more than uncomfortable. Eret's entire presence was uncomfortable. "Did you need something?"

"How about a ride? Hm?" Eret asked, leaning onto the passenger's side.

"Sure," Hiccup nodded, stepping toward the car. He unlocked it and Eret slid into the passenger side. Hiccup swallowed before he opened the driver's door. The doors were closed and the engine started before either of them spoke. "So…where to?"

"The bridge," Eret said without hesitation.

"Huh?" Hiccup asked, "Why?"

Hiccup turned his head just in time to see Eret's hand emerge from beneath his jacket, brandishing a black pistol, held low on his leg as to not be seen from the window. It was pointed at Hiccup and Eret's stable finger rested gingerly on the side, not on the trigger, but it didn't make him feel any less almost-dead. He temporarily forgot to breathe.

"Yeah, the bridge. Let's go, come on, drive." Eret said, nodding toward the road, as if nothing was wrong with this situation.

"Okay," Hiccup put two shaky hands on the wheel. He'd been to the bridge only once and it had been when he'd driven down. It wasn't very exciting or interesting. It wasn't old, but it wasn't new. It was just a bridge.

Hiccup navigated the streets of the city and kept an eye out for police cars. He contemplated stopping at the station and screaming for help, but odds are Eret could shoot him before he'd get the door open. He wanted to stay alive more than he wanted Eret in trouble. He followed the signs to Illinois and dreaded the deserted highway that arched over the Mississippi. He stopped at the light and waited a terrifying moment for it to turn green. As he turned onto the bridge, he feared that it might be the last thing he saw.

"Stop here," Eret directed when they were halfway across the bridge.

Hiccup followed his instructions and pulled onto the narrow shoulder.

"Turn it off,"

The car grew silent and the headlights vanished. The only light came from the grimly red don't-run-off-the-bridge lights that were scattered every few feet along both sides of the highway.

"Get out," Eret demanded as he took the keys.

Oh, sweet god, this was it. He was going to die tonight. Hiccup tried to look calm as he opened the door and got out. The wind was stronger here and it pushed the air right out of his lungs. Eret followed him, gun aimed, face cool. He poked him in the back with the gun and ushered him to the side of the bridge where he could hear the rushing water far below. It was dark, but the dim lights of the night reflected in patches of the muddy water.

On one side, the flood plains of southeastern Illinois lay silent. On the other side, Missouri was hidden behind levies. No one could see them. No one would hear him scream for help. No one would witness his body plunging into the watery grave.

"Ah, the Mississippi," Eret said, almost mournfully, "So majestic, so timeless, and so powerful. Did you know that most bodies that are discovered in water can't be identified? The water quickens decomposition and it takes them apart, so rapidly, so savagely, without mercy or prejudice."

Hiccup swallowed as the cold metal of a gun met his neck. The cold wind numbed his face. If the bullet didn't kill him, surely the water would freeze him, and he would float along the surface like a victim of the Titanic. Astrid's car would be dumped and no one would know what happened to the driver.

Eret slid an arm around his shoulders and pulled him in close so that the warm breath of his whisper slipped inside his ear, "Astrid cares about you a great deal. This is your only warning, Hiccup. If you break that girl's heart, I'm going to break your legs and throw your off this bridge.

"W-what?" Hiccup sputtered.

Eret leaned away and tucked the gun back wherever he'd hidden it. "Now, I'm cold. Let's get going."

Hiccup watched him get back into the car, on the driver's side, and start the engine. There was something wrong with his legs. They wouldn't move. Eret rolled down the window and yelled at him to get into the car. His daze was shocked and he walked to the passenger side. His daze mummified him as Eret drove back through town and parked in the welding shop's lot. Eret got out of the car, wished him a goodnight, and he was gone. Hiccup was still dazed as a black two-door rolled silently out of the parking lot.

He remained in Astrid's car, heart pounding in his ears, hands shaking, for what felt like a week. Somehow, he pushed himself over the center console and into the driver's side. He started home and as the familiar trek was taken he began to doubt if the events of the night had even happened.

Still shaken, Hiccup pulled into the parking lot of the apartments. He quickly scanned the lot for black two-doors lurking in the shadows. Stumbling out of the car, he almost missed a tiny, pitiful, squeak of a sound. He paused, looked around, but saw nothing. He took another step and heard it again.

His heart was still racing. He put a hand over his chest and leaned against the building's exterior. He saw something dark move from the shadows underneath one car and into another. He heard the small squeak. The small shadow remerged, paused, and darted underneath Astrid's car. Cautiously, Hiccup walked back to the car's side and knelt down on the pavement.

There, underneath her car, were two large green eyes staring back at him. They came from a dark shadow that huddled as close to the ground and it could get. It squeaked at him, and a pink tongue was revealed, behind a row of imperfect teeth. Several of its tiny white fangs were missing, one looked to be broken. It was so small, yet didn't have the awkward stance of a kitten.

Hiccup smiled as he held a ginger hand out to the small cat. He must be the runt of the litter, just like him. This cat had been left alone to the elements, in the harshest time of year, with little hope of making it. Those large green eyes were full of fear, of survival, of the unknown, and it pinched something in Hiccup's chest that he couldn't ignore.

"Hey, there," Hiccup said as he cautiously moved his hand closer to the shivering cat. It flinched away from him and he was afraid that it would run. "It's okay, it's okay, I'm not going to hurt you."

The cat seemed to consider him. It watched his hand as it steadily drew nearer. When Hiccup's index finger reached out and stroked the cat's cold wet head, it leaned into the touch and took a wobbly step toward him, eventually coming out from underneath the car. He limped on one of his back feet.

"You're hurt," Hiccup said to the cat.

It meowed at him. He could see the gaps where several of his front teeth were missing.

"Oh, that's not good." Hiccup sighed as he let the cat rub his head against his hand. It purred. "You're lost, aren't you? I know where you can go."

Hiccup picked the cat up and brought him up to the apartment with him. The cat was not pleased with being held at first, but by the time they arrived on Astrid's floor, he was perfectly comfortable in Hiccup's cradled arm.

The apartment was dark and Hiccup set the cat down on the floor so that he could removed his winter layers. When he reached back down for the cat, however, it was gone.

"Uh…" Hiccup quickly scanned the room. The cat was dark. The room was dark. Great.

Hiccup checked everywhere in the living room and when he made sure the bathroom was empty he shut the door. He tiptoed into the only remaining space, the bedroom, where Astrid was sleeping. His fears were realized when he saw the mysterious black lump that had curled into a ball on Astrid's back.

Hiccup stared at it, unsure of what to do, when the cat opened his green eyes. They seemed to have their own illumination. He stared back at Hiccup, as if daring him to do something about it. Sighing, Hiccup let him sleep there. Astrid would figure it out sooner or later.

Hiccup showered and returned to the bedroom where neither Astrid or the cat had moved. He changed into his pajamas and carefully crawled into bed. One false move and Astrid would have a very rude awakening. Hiccup had little trouble falling asleep, but his dreams were plagued with masked gunman, floating rivers, and waiters with twisting goatees. He had just fallen up into a raging river when his sleep was abruptly halted.

"The fuck?" Astrid cried, angry and tired.

His eyes were open at her outburst but his vision was skewed by something black. He sat up quickly and Astrid did the same. There was a black lump sleeping between them who had not minded Astrid's swearing at all. At the silence the cat twitched his head and opened one eye, and then the other, glancing between the two of them.

"What?" Astrid asked groggily.

"Oh, I see you've met each other," Hiccup said nervously, putting a hand up in defense.

"Huh?"

"Astrid, this is Toothless," Hiccup said with a polite gesture, "Toothless, Astrid."

Astrid followed his hand to the cat, but her expression hadn't change. Toothless seemed unperturbed by her presence altogether.

"Hell no."

X

And that's chapter 21! Don't forget to leave a review to tell me what you thought of the chapter, the story altogether, or just whatever. I greatly appreciate your input and support!