Author's Note:
Chapter: 2
Hey guys, gals and non-binary pals! Thanks for the positive feedback on chapter 1! It was such a spur of the moment project, that I didn't know whether or not anyone would actually like it.
SO SORRY for the delay in uploading this story, I've been writing 4-6 chapters a week for the last few weeks, and even then, I haven't had the time to get to this one. Sorry about that. This week, I kid you not, I'm writing a minimum of seven chapters, with the hope of writing 2 more so that I have some already done ahead of time so I can work on other things, or even the next chapters. Yeah, I'm probably overworking myself this summer, but I'm fortunate that my summer schedule allows me to have so much time for writing, as I normally struggle to write 1 chapter in two weeks. Now I'm doing three times that.
Consider supporting me by becoming a Patron. My Patrons get Early Access to ALL my chapters and one-shots, as well as sneak peeks and behind the scenes info. Chapter 3 is already up for Patrons.
stuck in an old chevy on the side of the road in a snowstorm
Chapter: 2
Henryk woke up to the most astonishing sight. There, lying half on top of him, was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, his life-long best friend, Astrid Hofferson.
Her golden locks were splayed out over his chest in random directions, as her head rested on him. A single arm and leg were draped over and clutching him for warmth. And he could feel her breast squish against his chest as it rose and fell from his breathing.
Her peacefully sleeping face was inches from his own, and Henryk found himself wanting to do nothing but watch her for hours.
But that would have been creepy. And they had a long day of walking through waist-deep snow ahead of them, so they should probably get up already.
So, loathingly, he decided to wake her up. "Hey, Ast. Ast?" He tried to wake her softly at first, but she didn't seem to want to wake up. He tried a little louder this time. "Hey, you need to get up."
"Don't want to." She mumbled, half asleep. "Sleepy."
Gods, this girl was just too cute.
"Well, you're going to have to get up anyway." No response. Should he try to shake her awake? Or would that be the wrong thing to do? He tried calling her name again. "Hey, Astrid. Time to get up. We need to carry all our gear to my cabin."
"Later." She mumbled, pressing into him even more, trying to fall back asleep. "Now, sleep time."
Henryk let out a defeated sigh. This was probably a bad idea. He jostled her shoulders with his free hand. "Wake up."
Her eyes half opened. "You know, you should always let a girl get her beauty sleep."
The words tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop himself. "You don't need any. You're already beautiful."
Shite, he had done it now. Henryk readied himself for whatever verbal assault was coming his way-
Astrid giggled. Actually giggled. What was this, the Twilight Zone?
"Who knew you were such a charmer?" She smiled as her eyes fully opened, looking up to his a mere three inches away. Her hand moved on his stomach, then stopped. Her face formed into a questioning one, and for a moment Henryk worried about his lower extremities. "Why didn't you tell me you had abs?"
Henryk's brain grinded to a stop. How did this girl always manage to keep him guessing?
"I- I- uh…"
Astrid laughed at his expense, using his chest as leverage to sit up. "I'm only joking." She was still right next to him, pressed into his side for warmth. "I've seen you without a shirt before at the beach. And I know you usually hide them, even if girls would probably go mental if they saw them."
They had always been close growing up, each others' first friend. They did everything together, walked to school with one another as children and later teenagers, hung out together, everything. Henryk was the first boy Astrid had invited over to meet her intimidating but surprisingly kind father, Axel. And she was the first friend he had invited to his house as well. They spent countless hours in each others' presence. And during that time, Henryk learned a lot about his best friend.
Astrid was a very physical person, in the sense that if something didn't work, her first instinct was to hit it until it started working again. She had broken many phones and now a car that way, much to Henryk's attempt to fix them. But she was also a very physical person in the sense that she used touch to convey her emotions and affections. She punched you in the arm when you said or did something stupid. Put a hand on your shoulders to convey sympathy or comfort. Or, on rare occasions, gave crushing hugs.
So, despite the… particular circumstances right now, Henryk wasn't too surprised that Astrid had no qualms about being so close to him. They had squeezed into the passenger seat of his dads' old pickup truck for years. Sat on the couch or even laid next to each other on Astrid's bed when they hung out there, as they most often did. She had practically eaten off of his plate growing up, never bothering to get her own food, despite it being her house.
But for most of that time, Astrid had been dating Scott, and Henryk had pushed his feelings for Astrid so far into the back of his mind that he was surprised it had come creeping back into the light. So now, he was painstakingly aware of every second that Astrid's side pressed into his, and he could still feel her heat on his chest. And he would be lying if he said he didn't miss it. It felt so different now, even if he knew it shouldn't. It shouldn't matter that Astrid was single now, he knew her touches now meant nothing more than they did all those years growing up. But his mind was still restless.
Astrid shivered, taking him out of his musings. "Damn, it got colder in here than I expected." She said, her breath clearly visible, rubbing her arms and doing her best to stop her teeth from rattling. She leaned back into him for warmth. "Now I don't want to get up."
Neither do I, Henryk thought.
"But we have to walk the few hours to my cabin, and it'll take longer in the snow." He said. "We should take advantage of the relatively warm weather right now."
"Your words make sense," she said. "But I don't like them." She nestled back into his side, pulling the blanket over them. "We can survive another day in here."
"It'd be better if we make it to the cabin." He told her. "It'll be warmer, and much more comfortable."
"It's cold outside," she mumbled. "And besides, I'm plenty comfy here."
It was like this woman was trying to mess with him.
"There's alcohol at the cabin."
Astrid's ears perked up. "...How much alcohol?" She asked, voice muffled from her face being smooshed into him.
"Enough to get my father drunk."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get going!" She declared, though she didn't move any faster to get up.
~Page Break~
They packed up all the necessities; food, water, emergency gear, a rifle Henryk had only ever used to scare off a grizzly, their last bottle of alcohol— Astrid had insisted it was necessary. "For the road", she had said— Two bags each.
The journey was long and more than a little difficult, but they had managed to keep each others' spirits high, and, after nearly a full day of pushing through the waist-deep snow, they made it to Henryk's cabin.
Henryk turned on the generator after dumping his bags in the mudroom. Astrid had already collapsed on the coach, still in her coats and boots, mumbling for him to light a fire already.
He was more than happy to oblige.
With the massive fireplace lit and the generator working overtime to warm up the old cabin, Henryk joined Astrid on the couch, dead tired, drifting off with her before his head hit the pillow.
~Page Break~
Astrid was the first to wake. It was later in the evening and she was starving and, thanks to falling asleep in her soaked clothes, drenched to the bone. She also smelled something foul. The heat in the room was the only reason why she didn't have hypothermia.
With her senses muddled, she only now noticed a weight on her chest. She looked down to see Henry had must have rolled over and fallen asleep face first on her chest. If she didn't know better, she'd think he was trying to up the ante after the face-bum incident yesterday.
Her face went bright red, and he felt herself get all hot, but in a way, she wasn't really bothered by the contact because it was him who was doing it, even if she would never let another guy do this. But Henry was… different, they were best friends, and had been in a bunch of awkward situations before. But it was more than that, she just didn't mind because it was Henry who was doing it. She wasn't exactly sure why, though she suspected, but she didn't want to think about it at the moment. Or maybe ever, Thor help her.
She would have been content to let him sleep, knowing he was as dead tired as she was, and it felt nice, in a way, but she had to use the loo, and preferably take a hot shower and get out of these wet clothes.
Her stomach growled.
Oh, yeah, and get some food. Preferably Henry-made.
She shook him. "Hey, Henry, get up."
It was his turn to be defiant. "Don't want to." His voice was muffled, face in her chest, making a tingle run down her spine without her permission.. She knew him good enough to know that he had no idea he was doing this, else he would have flown off the couch and nearly died.
"I need to use the loo and you need to make some food." She told him, shaking him harder this time, trying her best to avoid squirming as he moved on her chest. He jerked awake, head lifting up from between her bosom to look right into her eyes. A look of pure shock washed over his face before he jumped so high, he nearly hit his head on the support beam.
He crashed to the floor a blubbering puddle. "GAH! I- I- I- uh- Wah!" He looked about ready to die of embarrassment. Seemed like her theory was correct.
"Henry," she started. "It's-"
"Oh Thor, oh Thor, oh Thor!" He was shaking and his eyes were wide. "Midgard, it's been nice knowing you."
"Henry, it's okay, really." She said, hoping the reddening in her cheeks was gone. Only Scott had been that close to her before, and it was kind of gross. "I know it was an accident." She tried to put on her best nonchalant expression. "Plus, now we're even, I guess. With, y'know, sleeping on each others' chests."
She could tell he wanted to say something, but figured his brain was unable to send and receive signals at the moment. His mouth just kept opening and closing, no sound coming out.
"I'm sorry!" It came out as a sudden shout, but it made Astrid happy that he at least felt bad about it, even if it was an accident. She knew it wasn't on purpose, but most guys wouldn't have apologized and meant it, only sorry they got caught.
"It's fine, really." She told him again, before clapping her hands. "Alright, we both kinda just crashed when we got here… mind giving me the nickel tour?"
Henry showed her around the cabin; it was fairly large in terms of older Berkian hunting cabins, but not nearly as big as the new summer cabins that had gotten in style the past few years, the ones that were basically homes with every amenity. Henry's cabin had a mud room, large family room with the giant fireplace, two bedrooms, a small kitchen and tiny loo.
It was perfect for the two of them.
"And here's my room." He indicated to a small room with an old double bed. Elk antlers, animal footprint castings and wildlife photos adorned the walls. It was cozy. "And the loo is to the right," he said, pointing. "It's cramped, but my dad still managed to fit in there."
"It's cozy," she said, looking around the room, smiling. Her family didn't have anything this nice. "Where will I be staying? Or will we be sharing again?" She had meant it as a joke, but realized it came out kind of dry, not sounding like a joke at all. She hoped Henry didn't misinterpret it, as that would get awkward.
He went red and started coughing. He gestured for her to follow him down the hall. "You can either take my parents' room, or the couch. Or my room, and I can take the couch." He told her, the pink still lingering on his cheeks.
She scrunched her nose. "Are the sheets clean?"
He seemed to get her line of thinking, nodding. "Yeah, we have fresh ones in the closet."
"Okay," she shrugged, walking into the room. "I'll take this room." She nodded in approval. "But I need to take a shower, I smell like the underside of a wet yak."
"I'll get dinner started." He told her. "We have soap, shampoo and toiletries in the loo, help yourself. There should be towels in there too."
"Thanks." She said. He didn't move to leave. "Um, Henry?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you, like, get out so I can get ready for my shower?"
His eyes went wide and his cheeks went red. He hurried out of there. "Oh! Sorry!" He took off down the hall and into the kitchen.
Astrid chuckled to herself, Henry was a goof, but he was adorkable sometimes.
She grabbed the bag she had been carrying and headed to the loo. It was small, like Henry had mentioned, but nice. It was a stone sink, a small shower, and a newer looking tub that could easily fit two people. She wasn't sure why that popped into her head. She shook it away.
She stripped her soaking and smelly clothes, shucking them in a trash bag she brought, and darted into the shower, turning the hot water all the way up and basking in the warmth.
Astrid hadn't taken too long of a shower, since she knew the cabin ran off well water, and didn't want to use too much. She climbed out, already missing the warm air, and wrapped herself in a fluffy towel. Drying her hair, she opened her bag to grab some clothes and immediately swore.
There weren't any clothes in the bag, only camping supplies. Had she grabbed the wrong bag and left the one with her clothes in the front room by the couch? She must have. She headed to the door and halted, finding the problem. Henry was in the kitchen, and he would see her if she went waltzing by. She opened the bag of her dirty clothes, but it was a lost cause. They were so soaked and gross, she didn't dare put them back on. Sighing, she cracked the loo door open and called out.
"Henry?
"Yeah?" His voice came from the kitchen.
"I- uh…" She faltered. "Can you come here real quick?"
"Yeah, hold on." She heard him put something down in the kitchen and head down the hallway. She closed the door just in time. She heard him walk past the loo door and into her room. "Astrid?" He sounded confused. "Where are you?"
"In here." She called through the door. She hoped her voice wasn't wavering as much as she thought it was. "I'm in the loo."
She could hear the hesitation in his voice. "Um… what do you need?"
"I grabbed the wrong bag." She told him through the door. "Can you grab the bag with my clothes in it from the couch, please?"
"Yeah, of course." He said, heading down the hall.
"Thank you."
She heard him come back, he knocked softly on the door. "Um, Astrid? I have your bag."
"Thanks," she said. Wondering how to do this next part. "I'll open the door a little, I'm wearing a towel, don't worry. Can you hand it to me?"
She could hear him gulp through the door. "Uh- y-yeah, n-no problem."
She checked her towel, it was designed for someone Stoick's size, so it covered her more than adequately. She opened the door a crack, holding her hand out. "Okay, hand it to me."
"H-here you go."
He didn't hand anything to her.
"Henry?"
"I'm not looking!"
She sighed, "I know that." She said. "But just give me my bag, please."
"I'm holding it out." He told her.
Chancing a glance, she opened the door a little more so she could peer out. Sure enough, Henry wasn't looking anywhere near her, instead having his back to her as he held the bag behind him. The only problem? He was halfway down the hall.
"Henry," she said, sighing again. "I need you to bring it closer. I can't reach it."
He tensed, his shoulders going up to his reddening ears. "S-sure."
He took a minuscule step backwards.
This was starting to turn ridiculous.
"Henry, I can't possibly reach that." She told him. "I'm covered, you can turn around."
He didn't turn around, however, instead shuffling backwards towards her, bag outstretched. "H-here."
She reached her hand out, her fingers only a few inches from the bag.
"A little closer." She told him. He took a step back. "Almost there, come on." He took another step back as she stretched out as far as she could go. She fell forwards and he tripped backwards, they crashed and wound up a pile of limbs on the floor.
Astrid groaned, trying to rub her head but finding her arm trapped under Henry. And speaking of Henry, his hand was under the towel and somewhere it shouldn't have been. What was this, one of those pervy anime Scott watched when he thought she wasn't around?
She untangled herself before Henry could have another heart attack. He looked up at her and she put up a hand, stopping him. "It was an accident, I know. Don't freak out. It must be Loki messing with us."
"...Y-yeah, L-Loki…" He muttered.
Her towel fell to the floor, exposing all her glory to him.
She let out a shriek, covering herself. Henry fell backwards, seemingly unconscious. Astrid quickly covered herself with her towel before checking on him. He had a bloody nose.
Maybe this was one of those anime.
"Damn, you, Loki." She muttered, before wondering if it was possibly Freyja instead.
She moved Henry to the couch, he was fine, and coming to, so she headed into the bathroom with her bag, ensuring the door was closed and locked. She didn't want to tempt Loki or Freyja anymore than she already had.
She opened the second bag and frowned, this didn't have her clothes either. She double checked both bags, nothing. In their haste to head to the cabin, she must have accidentally left her clothes behind.
"Shite." She swore, wondering what to do. Deciding she had no other choice, she made sure the towel wasn't going to fall again and headed to Henry's room in search for something to wear.
~Page Break~
Henryk couldn't fathom what was going on, or how, with his terrible luck, it was happening. Not only were he and Astrid spending the next week in a cabin in the middle of the woods together, alone, she was now walking around in his clothes.
After the towel… incident, Astrid discovered that she had forgotten her bag of clothes in the truck, half a days' walk away through waist deep snow. So the bag was as good as forfeit, they thought. So, that left Astrid with a problem, all the clothes she had were the ones she had worn there, and those were soaked and half-frozen and gross, so she couldn't wear them. And the only solution, it seemed, was for her to wear his.
Henryk tried not to watch Astrid stroll past him in the kitchen, her bare, creamy legs drawing his eyes like a spotlight. She was wearing one of his old sweaters he had left in the cabin a few years ago, but it was several sizes too big for her. It fell down past her bum, halfway to her knees. She wore some long, fuzzy socks, slippers, and nothing else. The temperature inside the old cabin was toasty and comfortable, just perfect to relax in after a long day trudging through snow. It also meant Astrid didn't have to wear as much clothes.
"It smells delicious." She commented, appearing next to him suddenly. He was so focused on the image of her legs he hadn't noticed her approach. She leaned in to get a better smell, the neckline of the old sweater falling off one shoulder. It was like this girl was actively trying to torture him.
"Thanks." He gave a one word answer, not trusting his ability to make long, coherent sentences.
Neither of them had mentioned or talked about the incident, and both seemed keen to act like it never happened. Henryk was embarrassed, sure, but he couldn't even imagine how embarrassed Astrid was. This wasn't something as simple as accidentally falling asleep on or touching each other, he had seen her starkers.
And that image would never leave him, as much as he weakly tried to force it out.
"Scran's ready," he announced, pulling himself out of his thoughts. He poured some stew into a bowl and handed it to Astrid. "Careful, it's hot."
She rolled her eyes in the way that made him smile. "Thanks, mom." She chuckled, sitting at the table and digging in like a starving bear. She must have been as hungry as she claimed. He joined her, bringing with him a bottle of mead. Astrid took it immediately, taking a long drink. She handed it back to him with a smile, before attacking her food again.
Sometimes this girl was like a princess, and sometimes she was like a dragon.
They ate, making comfortable conversation, but more than happy to just be warm and eating good food.
They moved to the sitting room in front of the fire after eating, Astrid played music off her phone, some pop song Henryk recognized but couldn't name. They watched the storm roll in for a second wave from the large window, happier than ever to have made the hard journey here.
Henryk lounged on the couch with a book he had been meaning to read forever, but found his focus interrupted by a certain blonde.
"I'm bored." She said as she sat down on the far edge of the couch, by his feet. She brought her knees up to her chest, and Henryk had to pull his eyes from her legs again. "Do something interesting."
He snorted. "What am I, your court jester?"
"I think you could pull off the get-up and goofy hat," she gave him a grin and a wink. She took another long drink of the mead. "I forgot how boring it is without phone service," she said, holding up her phone that was playing downloaded songs. "I have the urge to swipe."
Henryk chuckled from behind his book. "I, for one, like the peace and quiet." He told her. "I used to spend weeks out here at a time as a kid with my dad. It helps you relax. I've never been interested in social media anyway."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, you're like an old man when it comes to technology." She said. "I remember having to tell you what a meme was."
"And I wish I never asked," he joked. "Sometimes I'm better off not knowing."
Astrid laid across the couch, mirroring him. Her legs pressing up against his. It made him glad he was wearing long pants. There wasn't enough room for both of them, but she did it anyway. He also did his best to avert his eyes, as he wasn't sure what she was wearing under the sweater, if anything.
They relaxed, listening to the music, basking in the warmth of the fireplace. Henryk had only read a single page when Astrid kicked his leg. "I'm still bored."
"I can recommend a book."
She rolled her eyes. "What are we, in the dark ages?"
He rolled his eyes in turn. "Or you can enjoy the peace and quiet."
"Is that your subtle hint to tell me to stop talking?"
Henryk grinned, and she smacked his leg. Suddenly, she stood and started typing on her phone. A slow, less pop-y song started to play. She looked at him over his book. "Want to dance?"
"Huh?" Henryk was sure he looked like an idiot looking up at her.
"I wanna dance and you're the only other person for miles," she told him with a grin, barely suppressing a chuckle. Seems like the mead was finally getting to her. "So I guess I'm stuck with you walking fishbone."
Henryk faltered. "...You know I'm not much of a dancer, no left foot and all-"
"Oh come on, Henry~." She gave him her biggest puppy dog eyes. "Please~?"
"I don't know-"
"Learn to live a little." She pouted. "We're going to dance." She hadn't even given him time to react before pulling him to his feet and dragging him to the center of the room. She hit her phone and music started to play.
"Take my waist."
"Huh?" Henryk was sure he looked like an idiot again.
"Put your hand on my waist." She instructed, giving him a look like he was an idiot. "Don't you remember how to dance? We've danced before."
Yeah, Henryk thought, but that was just one dance in high school, surrounded by people, and Scott had been glaring at him the entire time. That one dance had earned him a black eye for a week.
She grabbed his hand and put it on her waist, before taking his other. She began to dance and he felt himself fall into step with her. He had been taught how to dance as a boy, he had been taught several different formal dances no one his age really had any business to know. But, other than the lessons with his instructor and few partners in the class, he had really only danced once before, with Astrid. And these circumstances were a far cry from those. That had been as formal as a high school dance could get, with suits and dresses and live music, while this was the two of them in comfy clothes on a yak fur rug in front of a fireplace. The only people for miles.
Henryk decided he liked this dance much more than that one. He had been so nervous and clumsy back them, so afraid he'd do or say something stupid, afraid he's step on her dress, or accidentally drop his hand onto her bum, or get caught staring at her too much, but now, now they were just having fun. He was having fun.
"You're a really good dancer." She said, appraisingly, the first one to speak after a handful of songs.
"T-thanks," he stuttered. "Would you believe that I was classically trained in dance since I was eight?"
She laughed for a few seconds, until she must have realized he was being serious. "You're not kidding?"
"Sadly, no."
She gave him a bewildered look. "Why didn't you ever tell me before?"
He shrugged best he could, making sure he didn't throw off the rhythm. "I guess it never came up."
"'Never came up'?" She sounded astounded. "I love to dance. You mean we could've been dancing for years and you never told me?" She gave him a mock glare. "You left me with Scott all those times, and for that, I'll never forgive you, Mr. Haddock."
He grinned. "My apologies, Ms. Hofferson, for sticking you with that troll for so long."
She laughed, it was a beautiful sound. She moved in closer. "You can make it up to me by dancing with me more often."
That was the easiest deal Henryk had ever made. "Your wish is my command, m'lady."
She froze and instantly Henryk worried he had said something wrong. She looked up at him with those deep blue pools he could get lost in. Her voice was soft, almost distant. Very unlike Astrid. "...You haven't called me 'm'lady' in years." She said, the motions all but forgotten. "Ever since-"
"You started dating Scott." He finished the thought.
She pulled back just enough to get a good look at him. "I had always wondered why you did that," she said, the realization washing over her. "It used to make me smile because it was so silly, then, suddenly, you stopped calling me it. You didn't want Scott to find out, did you."
She said it as a statement, not a question. She knew it was true.
"Scott…" He began. "Didn't like how close you and I were growing up, especially when you started dating. Whenever he found out we were hanging out alone, he got pissed… and he used to kick my arse."
Her eyes widened slightly, and her lips made to speak, but no words came out. "...I… I'm sorry, Henry, for how he treated you. I had no idea."
He tried his best to shrug like it was no big deal. "It's not your fault."
She had a confused expression. "But why was he such an arse to you? I mean, yeah, he got protective, but you and I were friends. He didn't have any reason to get upset-" She froze, eyes widening slowly in shock, the realization dawning on her. She looked up to him, jaw falling.
He said the words before she was able to guess. "It's because I had a giant crush on you."
Her breath hitched, but she didn't say anything. She didn't move, she didn't breathe, she remained motionless, taking him in as if she was seeing him for the first time.
"And… I guess I still do."
He waited for her response. A look of confusion, displeasure, anger, anything, but she just looked up to him with a tilted head, eyes wide.
Henryk took a step back and averted his eyes. "Sorry, I know that was really sudden and-."
"It's okay."
Her words caught him so off-guard that he nearly stumbled. "W-wha?"
"I said, it's okay." She said, looking away but was sneaking glances back and forth. "I… I just didn't know…"
"...Yeah." Was all he said. What was he supposed to say? He had had a crush on her for over a decade, and had always wanted but never had the courage to tell her how he felt, and now that he had finally said it, he had no idea what to do.
He couldn't read her, couldn't tell what she was thinking, couldn't tell how she was taking it. Nothing.
She cleared her throat. "How long have you… felt that way?"
He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, before deciding to just say it. If she didn't feel the same way, he'd be willing to just be friends the rest of their lives. As long as she was in his life in some way. "Almost as long as we've been friends."
Her eyes widened slowly, but she didn't seem surprised, oddly. "...Why did you never tell me?"
He hesitated this time. "...Because you were dating Scott."
She raised a brow. "What about all the years before that? Middle school and beginning of high school?"
He gulped. "...Because I… um…" He paused, looking away. Her gaze was making him sweat, or was that the fireplace a few feet away? "Because… because I never thought someone like you would be willing to date someone like me."
It hurt to say it out loud, all of those insecurities and fears he'd had for so long, but, in a way, it felt good, liberating.
Her eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by 'willing'?" She asked. "Henry, we're best friends. If I wasn't 'willing' to be your best friend, I wouldn't be 'willing' to date you."
"I-"
"Let me finish." She cut him off, before letting out a breath. She collected her thoughts for a few seconds before looking back up to him, her cool blue eyes reflecting the blazing fire behind him. "Henry, I don't get where this sense of not being 'worthy' of being dated or whatever comes from. If you ask me, you're the nicest, sweetest, most respectful, kind and charming guy I've ever had the pleasure to know."
She took a step forward, so close that their chests touched oh so gently. She craned her neck up to look him in the eye. "Did you… did you think I would have stopped being your friend if you told me?" She asked, watching him. When he didn't reply, she swore under her breath.
"Henryk Horrendous Haddock III, you-" shit bit her lip. "You are the biggest muttonhead I've ever met."
His eyes went wide. "What-"
"After everything we've been through, did you really think I'd just stop being your friend if you told me this?" Her eyes studied his, never blinking. "Even if I told you I wasn't interested and that I only saw you as a friend, I still cherish our friendship enough to treat you with respect. I wouldn't get upset. Shocked and surprised, sure, that's understandable, but mad?" She shook her head before pinching the bridge of her nose. "You- ugh!"
"Astrid," he started. "I-"
She held up a hand. "I'm still not done. Please, let me finish…" She took a few breaths, nodding her head. "Henry, you're my best friend… did you really think I'd do that?"
"...I couldn't risk it." He told her softly, looking away. "You mean too much to me."
Astrid opened her mouth and pointed a finger at him, but found herself speechless, her hand falling to her side. "You mean a lot to me, too."
His breath caught. "Y-you- do you, I mean-"
She put a hand up to stop him. "I'm honestly not sure if I think of you like that, Henry-" His heart dropped. "-right now. But I'm sure that I care for and love you, at least as a good friend. But I'd be willing to see if we can work it out."
His eyes lit up, his heart lifting out of his stomach. "Really?"
She smiled her Astrid smile. "You heard me compliment you five seconds ago, right? I wasn't lying when I said you were a great guy, and I know that you'd be a good boyfriend, to whichever lucky lady you date one day."
He couldn't believe what she was saying, his brain was going a mile a minute. "So… what does this mean?" He asked slowly. "What… What are we? What do you want to do?"
"I want to take some time to think." She said honestly, giving him a thoughtful look. "I just broke up with Scott, and we dated for several years, and the last thing I want to do is treat you as my rebound guy-"
"I don't feel that way-"
"But I feel that way." She cut him off. "Or, at least, I'm worried about treating you like that. Henry, I respect you too much to do that to you…" She took a deep breath to relax, but he could see the tension in her shoulders. "So, at least for the next few weeks, I say we just stay as friends, and carry on as normal. Then, I'll see how I feel."
"I waited a decade to tell you how I felt," he said, a soft smile on his lips. "I guess I can wait a few more weeks."
She punched him in the arm. "Ow!" He cried. "Why are you always hurting me?"
"That's for waiting a decade to tell me," She smiled too, before leaning up on her tiptoes and pecking him on the cheek. "And that's for the dance, and being sweet." Her hair was almost glowing in the firelight, giving her a heavenly appearance. "Maybe we can do this again tomorrow night?"
He was pretty sure he had a goofy smile on his face, but he didn't care. "Y-yeah, I'd like that."
FIN
Author's Note:
HICCSTRID GOODNESS!
Well, there's this story over and done with. I hope y'all liked it. With literally no planning put into this, I'm happy with how it came out. I was inspired to write this as a literal blizzard came in on June 1st, and I was writing before I knew what was happening. Shoutout to 'AnakinMousestalker' for requesting a part 2 for this story in their review. This one was for you, Anakin! Hope you liked it.
Let me know how you liked this one-shot with a Review! No idea when I'll be writing more Hiccstrid, but Follow me so you don't miss when I do!
Have a good one,
Heph