Today was something.
Dropping herself with a loud thump, Elsa banged her head on the table and tossed her purse on it. "Kill me, please" Her work outfit looked a mess, and the mascara was spread under her eyes, assumably from sobbing all the way to the bar.
Astrid rashly handed over the drink to a customer and examined Elsa for a whole minute, trying to figure out what was wrong, but she couldn't. "Hi to you too, and what?"
"Give me your most alcoholic drink that would pass me out straight away." When she didn't move an inch, Elsa gave her best friend puppy eyes. "Is it working?"
A piercing shriek echoed in the tiny bar. "Absolutely not!" She whispered, standing closer to Elsa, still behind the bar by the till, and her say carried concern. "Elsa, what's wrong?"
When Elsa didn't answer back, Astrid went around and sat with her best friend on a barstool. "Shouldn't you be working?" Elsa questioned her.
"It's my part-time job anyway," Astrid asked, demanding an answer. "Now, please tell me because the last time you ever asked me for such a drink was five years ago when your parents called-" A realisation hit her. "Oh, my Thor, what did your family do now?"
Elsa groaned and kept slamming her head on the marble top in what looked like guilt until she abruptly drew her head up with a quivering chin. "I told them I'm married." Whatever Astrid presumed her answer would be, it was definitely not this.
Astrid stood up in a beat and screeched at the atrocity. "You did what!" Everyone in the bar twisted their necks around and darted at the bartender, so she sat back down, clenching her jaw. "Are you out of your damn mind? You haven't even dated in...well...forever."
"Yeah, I know." She messaged her forehead, trying to calm the growing headache. "They called and invited me to Anna's wedding and-"
Astrid deadpanned and foretold, knowing her well enough, "So, just to show them that the reason you have been away for the past three years is that you're married?" When Elsa didn't reply, Astrid perceived it as a yes and smacked her arm. "You muttonhead! What were you thinking?"
"Clearly, I wasn't!" Elsa stroked her arm, which would likely bruise in a few hours. "So I need a favour."
Her best friend rolled her eyes, and Elsa couldn't tell if she was being snarky or just Astrid. "Elsa Arandelle, I'm not calling your parents and telling them you died."
This time Astrid received an eye roll. "Though I love the idea, but no, I want-" She hesitated, reevaluating what she was about to appeal. "-I want you to get me a fake husband."
Astrid traversed her arms as she sat upright, and she really yearned to slap the idiocy out of her. "Elsa, I am a vet and a part-time bartender; I don't sell fake husbands! Where do you suppose I find you a husband from? I think you should tell them the truth. They're probably infuriated since you didn't invite them to your fake wedding, and maybe they'll understand" There was no way her parents had changed. Elsa was sure of it.
"I wanted to, but...Astrid, they think I'm a workaholic, which I mean is right to some level though I beg to differ and-" She took a deep breath and restarted her point. "I don't want the satisfactory smiles on my family's faces when they see I'm alone as they expected. Maybe I can tell them the truth."
Astrid arched her eyebrow, lingering for her to continue. "But?"
A sad smile graced her lips. "I want to show them I'm not alone and that I do have someone who loves me to death, and I am capable of loving somebody and not just some cold workaholic bitch."
"Elsa, you can't possibly think that! I've told you many times you aren't that; you are thoughtful, kind-hearted, loving and funny." Astrid thought twice. "Ok, well, not funny, but you try to be."
Elsa puffed at the comic insult. "I know, I do know that, now I do. I'm 24 now, Astrid and somehow, even after all those years, that trauma is screwed inside me; no matter what, I can't quit pondering the hurt they've caused me."
Astrid removed her apron and walked away to clock out. "Ok, let's go." She apprehended this would be a long talk and wished to be there for Elsa.
"You can't leave simply like this? Let the manager know, at least."
Shrugging, she reacted, "Heather will understand, and the bar isn't busy today." She glimpsed at Elsa while grabbing her keys and phone behind the bar. "Is there any place you want to go?"
Elsa thought for a second and, without any doubt, let out, "At the Haddocks, I need some parental support and advice right now."
Blinking twice, Astrid nodded. "I was feeling you'd want to go at the Nuts for a good laugh, but alright, that sounds nice too." They walked to the parking lot, and she headed to her car. "I'll meet you there. You're good to drive, right?"
Elsa's heart burst with adoration; it was nice to have somebody who worried about her after 18 years. "I'm fine, Astrid; I'll meet you there." She shouted and earned an air punch from far away at her remark, "Don't drive recklessly." Astrid's driving was known well enough in Berk, as was her fury.
As Elsa drove to the Haddock house, she reflected on her life.
For 18 years since she was born, she had been an outcast because of the not genetic platinum hair and such a 'Unique' personality, for what they liked to bully her had caused so much pain. The ignorance and neglect from her parents and extended family made it worse. When she turned away from her family and kept herself busy at school and work. Soon she was known as 'The Workaholic Cold-hearted Bitch.'
She understood they wouldn't change, and finally, being done with that, moved to Berk in Scotland, which was everything to her now and had been for almost seven years.
Her true home.
She found her best friend, Astrid and other stubborn and weird friends who'd die for her. Luckily they were her age fellows, so it was effortless to get along, and their welcoming selves helped too. She was finally given the love of parents, too, mainly by The Haddocks and Finn Hofferson, but some others too who were her gifted mashed-up family. What was better was the fact that not only she loved them intensely, but they all loved her back as much.
So she decided to stay at Berk forever, and after some guts, she cut ties with her family for three years; now, it's not like they were talking much the prior three years anyway. It's better to shove the toxicity out of life.
But today, when her mom phoned inviting her to Anna's wedding and inquired about how her life was, she, without a single sensible thought, lied that she recently got married. For some reason, they believed her lie, and she didn't know if it was appreciated or if she was hurt comprehending her parents didn't know her well enough to catch a lie.
So now she needs a Fake Husband.
The moral of the story was never to lie, but oh, she never learns.
As her train of thought ceased when she arrived at the house, Elsa smashed her head on the steering wheel. She gracefully, in a queen-like manner, got out of the car and, on her way to the entrance, met Astrid.
The door opened, and Valka beamed so hard her eyes wrinkled. "Hello, dearies. Give a hug to Aunty Valka." She tugged the young girls in a bone-crushing hug. She called for her husband, "Love, look who's here tonight."
They were tightened in another big hug by a gigantic man. "My daughters are here! Now come on in; dinner is about to be ready" He caught their faces recoil and whispered, "Don't worry, the cooks made it. It's safe to eat." The whole town knew the mayor's wife couldn't cook to save a life but were too afraid to say a word, kind of like Astrid's wrath.
Laughing at his whisper, they nodded and followed him inside and sat at the tiny dining table. "Now, what's for dinner?"
Valka answered Elsa as she and Stoick helped the housemaids set cutleries on the table. "Your favourites! I had a hunch you'll be coming today."
Elsa and Astrid attempted to help but obtained a loving yet grim glare from Stoick. "Sit down before I feed you Valka's food." He turned back to his wife and kissed her, who, luckily for him, didn't hear a thing. "I love you."
Ignoring him, she sat on the chair by Stoick, facing the girls. "Now, let's start, shall we?"
Soon they began eating and chatted about their jobs. Elsa's finance job at Stoick's Mayor's office and Astrid's vet job at Valka's hospital. It was interesting that the pairs worked together and spent most of the time in each other's company.
After eating, they sat in the living room with Valka and Stoick cuddling and Elsa laying her feet in Astrid's lap as she lay a few inches from her.
"So, anything interesting going on?" Valka asked as she sipped her coffee.
It was so easy to be honest with everyone in Berk for Elsa. "I won't say interesting, but complicated and foolish, yes."
"Oh, Thor" Leaning a bit forward, the elders waited for her answer. "Who do I have to murder?" Stoick got all protective and huffed.
Snickering, Astrid replied, "Luckily, no one, but we do need advice."
"Alright, then, what's the matter, kiddos?" Stoick pulled Valka closer, and they both waited for them to respond.
When Elsa wrapped up her story, the Mayor's and the Healer's jaws dropped. "Ah." They whispered at the same time.
Elsa gulped, and Astrid whined. "So please, we need your help now."
Valka shut her mouth and licked her dry lips. "I have to say you shouldn't have lied, but-"
Stoick cut her off and grinned. "But we'll totally help you! I like some adventure!"
His wife agreed with him, but a thought nagged her. "It's a fake husband, right?" The couple didn't want Elsa to get married for real simply for some absurd lie.
They both shook their hands in a dismissive motion and let out hastily. "Oh yeah, totally." "Definitely."
The Haddock couple sighed. "Good."
"So," Elsa trailed off, hoping to get some advice.
Stoick scraped his beard, which he did when deep in thought. "Kiddo, the only guys I have are Snotlout and Fishlegs; we know Tuff's an idiot, not that the others are any better."
"Oh, Thor, no, she isn't taking those blockheads!" Valka pointed at Elsa and explained, "You need someone handsome and not a muttonhead."
Astrid offered, startling all, "What about Hiccup?" The couple gave each other a glimpse; the entire Berk knew about Hiccup's and Astrid's crush on each other, which they kept denying.
"Oh no, please, you keep him. I'll take the risk and go with; I can't believe I'm saying this, Fishlegs. Now I have to ask Heather for permission." Heather was very overprotective, so that she might oppose.
Valka shook her head. "No, you are taking no one. I'll find you a good man myself. Who's handsome and smart and looks good with you." Elsa nodded thankfully.
The massive entrance door unlocked and walked in The Hiccup Horrendous Haddock, who had heard just the recent talk. He wore a chestnut winter jacket, and his messy auburn hair covered with snow were poking in every direction. The green eyes sparkled from far away.
"Who are you finding a man for?" Scarily he demanded. Hopefully, it wasn't for Astrid, he wished.
Walking up to him, Stoick elbowed him in the rib harshly and winked. "Don't worry; it's not Astrid." Hiccup turned beet red from head to toe.
Astrid looked down uncomfortably and got up from her place to greet her secret and not-so-secret crush. "Hi, how are you?"
"You look gorgeous" Acknowledging what he said, he started stuttering, "I mean...I...I'm fine! So how...how are you?"
An unfamiliar voice shattered the tension in the air. "Hiccup, you ass, you locked me in the car again; when will you grow up?"
When Hiccup cracked up and mocked him, strong yet thin arms pinned him down, and they soon got into combat, which looked very childish to others.
A loud booming voice and hands broke them apart. "Alright, you two cut it out!" Stoick walked back inside, and they followed embarrassingly.
Valka hugged her son tightly and covered his face with kisses "Son, you said you'd be back next month? Is everything ok?"
Hiccup held onto the hug; he had a special bond with his mother. "I wanted to be here for Snoggletog, so I finished my project earlier."
His mother smiled in the hug and pulled back. "And, who's this handsome guy we have here?"
"He's my best bud." Hiccup put an arm around his friend.
The old couple looked at their unexpected guest and checked him out thoroughly. He was quite handsome indeed. Eyes as blue as the sky and hair as white as snow. He was as tall as their son and had a calm, soft smile. They could tell he was someone who had a good heart.
Valka grinned mischievously as an idea popped into her brain but pushed it away. "What's your name?"
"Jackson Overland"
Jackson extended his arm for a handshake, but Valka tugged him in for a hug. "We only hug in this family."
She let go of him after a few seconds, and he wheezed. "Hiccup, you weren't kidding about the strangling hugs."
A firm pat on the back nearly tossed him down on the wooden floor. "These are the Haddock hugs, kiddo. Get used to em'."
They all took off to the living room. Valka and Stoick sat back on the sofa, lying closely but not so intimate in Jackson's presence. The three friends sat on the other sofa in a manner they usually do, Astrid's head on Hiccup's lap, her legs still on Elsa's as she lay. Jackson was seated on another sofa all alone and faced the entire family.
A thought ran through Elsa's mind. "You guys should eat dinner; we have some." She looked at Valka. "Right, Aunty Val?"
Valka passed a motherly smile. "Of course, darling. So what would my son and his best friend like to eat?"
"Actually, Mrs. Haddock, we ate dinner at Snotlout's," Jackson coughed and attempted to sound formal.
The Haddock couple chortled. "Oh, that makes me feel old. Please, Valka and Stoick are just fine."
Elsa, for some reason, had taken a significant interest in this young man. "So, what do you do for a living?"
"I'm a mechanical engineer, and I work at the same company as Hiccy!"
During the sip, Hiccup coughed, and the hot chocolate streamed right up his nose, but somehow he regardless was able to scowl at Jackson, who glanced at him sheepishly as if it was a mistake, which it was clear to all, it wasn't.
Stoick hit his own lap and burst out laughing. "Now that's a nickname!"
Everyone laughed with him, and Jackson ignored Hiccup's killing glare; something more intriguing was in the room. "I didn't catch your name, sorry."
"It's Elsa" Elsa's hands were held together on her lap, which was taken by Astrid's legs as she was giving an interview.
Everyone in the room saw a spark between the pair and even the housemaids that were running around doing tasks. They couldn't help but stop and peek at the pair with fondness. There was something about them.
He mumbled under his breath, "Noble," But everyone heard.
Shocked, she shook her head lightly. "Yes, that's the meaning of my name."
"It's a beautiful name, and it suits you." Elsa blushed at his praise, and that was all she could do.
The room was quiet, and only Elsa and Jackson conversed. In contrast, the others observed in silence; it entertained them.
Jackson ran his fingers through his hair, which induced a flutter in Elsa's stomach. "Jackson is a nice name, too, and it suits you."
"Meh, it's a ubiquitous name."
She blinked and was ready to argue. "No, I'm serious, but unlike you, I don't know the meaning of names." She hesitated. "Do you go by Jackson or...Jack?"
This question brought a smile to Jackson's face "Anything you wish."
Before Elsa could answer, Hiccup interrupted them, "Jackass is what I call him."
Astrid extended her arm up and twisted her childhood friend's ear to shut him up, and for his own good, he did. He didn't want to argue with a Hofferson girl and his crush the most. As loving as she could be, there was no doubt she was a fearsome girl.
Elsa simply ignored her immature friends and maintained staring at this young man who, for some reason, did things to her heart and stomach that never had happened before.
"I'll call you Jack if you don't mind."
"As you wish, Your Majesty." He repeated and did a fancy bow cleaning forward while he sat, which made her chuckle.
Astrid snorted from her side, and Elsa wondered, "Your Majesty? What's that nickname now?" No one has ever called her that before.
He replied sincerely, "It suits Elsa and her name. Also, her aura appears aristocratic."
Once again, she merely blushed. "Thanks...I guess."
"So, how long have you lived in Berk?"
"It'll be seven years coming January." So in a month, she meant.
Since this was a bit personal, he thought twice. "So, where are you originally from and what about your parents? Do they live here?" This question ignited outrage in Valka, and her mama bear was nearly to leak, knowing how greatly this question could ache Elsa.
For some reason, Elsa replied, "I am originally from Iceland, and that's where my parents live...I don't get along with them, and I consider Berk my home and The Haddocks my family." Stoick and Valka smiled but stayed quiet.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." Elsa shook her head at his apology as if it wasn't needed or was accepted instantly.
Elsa raised the same question, "What about you, Jack?"
Grinning at her question, he responded, "I am from Norway, and my father walked out on me when I was a few months old. I live with my mum, dad and sister. They all mean the world to me." So he had a step-sister and stepdad, but the way he said it didn't seem step to him, Elsa introspected.
"I'm sorry to hear that, but I think your father leaving you was the best that could happen. Without them, you wouldn't have such a beautiful family."
These words shook him, but these were the most accurate words he had ever heard. "You're right about that. We both got lucky, didn't we?"
Elsa teared up a bit and sneaked a glance at the Haddock couple she thinks of as her parents. "Definitely."
"So, what do you do for a living?"
"I work with Uncle Stoick and Uncle Finn at the Mayor's office as a finance director of Berk." She replied with her head raised high, proud of her accomplishments, and everyone was impressed.
Jack arched his eyebrow "Uncle Finn?"
Astrid's cue was to answer, "My parents passed away, and Uncle Finn took me in as his own. So he's basically my dad; also, he's Uncle Stoick's best friend." Hiccup played with Astrid's blonde locks to calm her down if she got sad, which she didn't.
"Wow, you guys are somehow a big put-together family."
Hiccup winked at him. "Yeah, we are!"
Elsa once again took over the conversation. "So Jack, what are you doing in Berk? You've never come here before."
He pointed at Hiccup. "He invited me for the break and wanted to introduce me to his family and friends."
"Oh, so that's a big step. When are you guys getting married?" Astrid picked on them, and the boys' jaws dropped.
Hiccup tossed a pillow at Jack's face, but he ducked. "Choose your words wisely, Jackass!" He looked down at Astrid. "I am not dating anyone."
Astrid shrugged, and her shoulders hit his stomach. "Why would I care?" Everyone rolled their eyes discreetly, knowing well enough such a big lie it was.
Stoick gossiped in Valka's ear, "All he needs is to ask her out. The speed he's going at, I've given up on seeing my grandkids."
"He's your son, after all. You asked me out after four years, love." Valka snorted, and Stoick facepalmed as he admitted.
Astrid yawned, and soon everyone did too. "I think we should leave; it's 10 pm now. I've work tomorrow."
Elsa and the Haddock couple spoke together, half asleep by now. "Me too."
The Haddock couple bid farewells and headed to their rooms, leaving the four young adults in the living room. "Good night, kiddos!"
Astrid abruptly got off the sofa, and Elsa's and Hiccup's legs were asleep. "I've got to perform surgery tomorrow, and I need my sleep." Hiccup got up but was pulled in for a kiss by his collar. He stood dumbfounded like many times previously, and she departed the house as he stood there.
Elsa stood up and looked around nervously before she smiled. "It was nice to meet you, Jack. Have a good night."
"Likewise, and have a good night." He clutched her soft hand and brought it to his lips before she left.
The feeling of her smooth skin stayed on it for hours.
They didn't know it yet.
He was falling for her.
And so was she.
Characters:
Jackson Frost Overland 24 y/o
HomeCountry: Geiranger, Norway
Parents: Steven Smith, Eva Overland
Sister: Emma Overland Smith 4 y/o
.
Elsa Arandelle 24 y/o
HomeCountry: Akureyri, Iceland
Parents: Agnarr Arandelle, Iduna Arandelle
Sister: Anna Arandelle 18 y/o
.
Hiccup Horrendous Haddock 24 y/o
HomeCountry: Berk, Scotland
Parents: Stoick Haddock, Valka Haddock
.
Astrid Finn Hofferson 24 y/o
HomeCountry: Berk, Scotland
Parents: Adopted by Finn Hofferson
I DON'T OWN THE CHARACTERS, HTTYD, FROZEN AND ROTG.
ONLY THE STORY IS MINE!