Hiccup rolled his eyes for the fifth time since the start of the hour as Snotlout boasted on and on of his new conquests. Finally coming home after so many years of studies and his time at York-Lancaster University, he felt like a stranger to his homeland. Exhausted, his main goal was to head home and sleep off the exhaustion in his bones till Ragnarok.
The street was abuzz with activity as everyone prepared for the upcoming Snoggletog. Store owners shout, advertising their goods while the crowds around them haggle over their prices. Some carts stop by the edge of the street, supplying them. Other shoppers have taken to walking, looking through the wares, or have simply decided to head home.
The hustle and bustle certainly made the trip slow, but with Snotlout present, it only made it more miserable. The carriage behind Hiccup had trouble pushing through the traffic and was even slower. If only his father hadn't sent it, he'd have been home already.
Every time he told him he was perfectly fine riding on his horse, Stoick the Vast wouldn't have any of it. It was impossible not to roll his eyes at that, as if it mattered what seat he sat on just to get home. Out of spite, he had ridden on his horse still, rendering the carriage a mere dead weight as they slowly plowed through the busy street.
The retreating sun prompted the lamplighters to go on about each street lamp, providing everyone with light through the dimming streets. As they rounded a corner, Hiccup's eyes noticed gold among the throng of red and brown as a man approached her, shouting her name.
"Lady Hofferson!" She turned to him as he handed her a piece of paper. He couldn't exactly hear what she replied because of the noise of the bustling market, but the man soon left her. At that moment, cautious blue eyes landed on Hiccup.
She raised a brow, annoyed and suspicious, but slowly her face softened, mirroring his astonished look. There was a rush he felt bubbling inside as he was mesmerized by the sight of her. Her golden hair, striking blue eyes, and her rosy cheeks was enough to take his breath away. A shiver went up his spine as a burst of energy overtook his whole being. The exhaustion quickly melting away.
"And she said... Hey, are you even listening?!" Snotlout turned to see Hiccup, noticing his narrowed eyes. "Seriously. How are you supposed to compliment me when you're not listening!"
To Hiccup's ears, he heard nothing except for the need to be closer to the stranger. Yelling. Then a loud crash and startled shouts from both people and horses severed the connection. Her gaze whips to Hiccup's side, which he followed and saw a stranger's cart that drove right to the streetlamp. The cart's wheel fell off, dropping the barrels and filling the street with mead.
"Why are you in the middle of the road?" Snotlout berated their following carriage driver.
"I'm sorry, sir. I was just following—"
"You're going to pay for that!" The driver who fell off his cart yelled as he pointed an accusing finger at Snotlout.
"And why? It's not like I was driving your busted old cart."
"Your carriage was on the way. When my employer hears about this..."
"Oh, hush you. Do you know who I am? I am going to be the next Duke of House Jorgenson! Just let me talk with your employer; I'm sure they'll be grateful to meet me." With a pleased look to himself, he continued. "Now, who do you work for?"
"I am." The blonde woman approached them and stood between Snotlout and the driver. "And as he said, you're going to pay for that. A duke's bratty son or not."
"What!?"
"Are you deaf, or is that another trait of the Jorgenson's?"
Snotlout laughed through gritted teeth. "Astrid!" Her face crinkled to a scowl at his greeting. "I know you might get confused cuz you're a woman, but how about we settle this with a drink? I know a good place we could... do that in private." He winked as he whispered the last part of his words.
"You..." Seeing the murder in her eyes, Hiccup quickly dropped down from his horse and stepped in between them.
"Okay." He raised both of his hands in defense as he sheepishly smiled. Her seething gaze affixed on the arrogant future-duke. "I understand that you want to kill him—trust me, I do—but why don't we save this for another day? It's Snoggletog, and we're all very tired. Mrs. Hofferson—"
"I'm not married."
"Miss... Hofferson." An unstoppable grin grew on his face as he corrected himself. "I would like to apologize on behalf of my cousin."
She scoffed as she stepped back away from him, disgust evident on her face. But after giving him a quick once-over, she softened before looking back towards Hiccup's obnoxious companion.
"At least someone hasn't lost their manners."
Snotlout was visibly offended by the accusation. He was about to yell a retort before Hiccup shot him a dangerous look. A nervous chuckle reverberated in Hiccup's throat as he turned back to her, rubbing the back of his neck.
"The carriage is also my father's. In all honesty, this incident is entirely my fault. Let me pay for the damages." She paused, observing his face before beckoning the driver to get a transaction receipt, which he gave to Hiccup. "While I'm at it, I think I'll consider buying... how about 8 barrels of your honey mead if that's alright."
"I'm very sorry for the trouble, sir." The carriage driver approached and stood just behind him, shoulders slumped with his eyes downcast.
"It's alright, Heinz."
There was a pause, which she took to search for something on his face as he handed back the receipt and address to the cart driver. "May I ask your name?"
"Hiccup. Odd, I know. My father is very conservative."
"Lady Hofferson?" The man Hiccup had seen earlier returned with a carriage behind him. Now that they were much closer, he was able to look at him better. Slick black hair pulled back, tied together in a small ponytail. He was about a head taller than he was and looked quite strong. A tattoo on his chin marks him as a soldier from a foreign country. He appeared older than she was. "It's time to go." He said as he came up and stood just behind her. His brown eyes landed on Hiccup and glaring at him like an insect he wanted to squash.
"I guess you're right." Her face dropped a little as she turned back to him. "It was a pleasure to meet you. Astrid Hofferson." She gave him a wide smile as she extended a hand to him, which he gladly accepted with a gleaming grin.
"Pleasures are all mine."
"Have a good evening." She gave a nod to her companion. The man opened the door for her, and just as he was about to come in with her, Hiccup couldn't help but ask.
"Will I see you again?"
Astrid didn't answer but smiled as the man closed the door. The window of the carriage framing her like a painting. Her soft smile as her eyes almost half-lidded; it was as if he was gazing at a portrait of a goddess. Just as quickly, their carriage was moving on to their destination. He stared at the retreating carriage until he felt a hard smack on the back of his head. He swiveled and saw Snotlout's confused but aggravated face.
"What was that about?"
"What was... What?" Hiccup replies as he climbs back on his horse, still feeling dazed yet stimulated and out of breath. "I was talking to a Hofferson?"
"No! I don't care about you're family feud. I got my eyes on her first. So back off. She's going to marry one man and that's gonna me." A rough, tired sigh came out of Hiccup's throat as he rubbed his temple. The beginning of a new headache.
"Uh, pardon me. Lord Haddock?"
"Please, Heinz. I already told you it's okay not to call me that."
"Lord... Hiccup, sir?"
He tried not to look too annoyed and nodded in satisfaction. "Good enough. Yes?"
"Wasn't the king's winter banquet today, sir?"
He paused, wondering whether his father had mentioned any social gatherings he had needed to attend that week. Hiccup's face fell just as quickly.
"Heinz, can you get the carriage home?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Snotlout, we're going there NOW."
"Wait, we're not going home first?"
"We don't have time." Hiccup's horse sped off, zipping through the startled crowd. Snotlout grumbled before following him behind as he screamed for people to move out of his way.
Stoick stood close by the entrance, wine in hand, greeting the other guests as he kept hidden the bubbling anger inside. Just as Hiccup comes in with disheveled hair and rough clothes, he storms his way to him.
"Where in Thor's name were you? And why haven't you dressed in your dinner clothes?" He yells in a whispery voice.
"We were only late because of the carriage you sent. It was slowing us down. If you didn't, I would've been home earlier and dressed better for this." Hiccup grumbles back, casting a quick glare at his father before turning back to the ground.
"Great Odin, give me patience!" Stoick mumbles as he pinches the bridge of his nose. "Where's Heinz?"
"I sent him home. The carriage got into an accident on the way through the market."
"Did anybody see you?"
"It was the market, dad, and it's Snoggletog."
Stoick let out a long, rough, tired sigh, shaking his head. "For one night..." He raises a meaty finger, keeping his eyes locked on his son. "Just try not to attract too much attention. Can I at least count you on that?" He stomps away before Hiccup can give an answer.
"Of course." In despair, he replies while watching his father walk away.
"You should be grateful I'm not telling him anything, but you better pay me back for this." Snotlout points at him before smacking from behind.
"Son of a... Right." He grumbles, rubbing his sore back.
Hiccup ventures into the crowd, wary as more people look at his way, attracted by his presence. He takes a glass offered by a footman with a tray full of drinks and ignores the attention, retreating to the corner of the room. But a looming figure soon approaches him. Hair prickled on the back of his neck as the prime minister stood in front of him with a crooked smile.
"Well, if it isn't Stoick's little boy."
"Prime Minister Alvin. Good evening, sir." Hiccup greeted as he mustered out a smile.
"Aren't you a bit early to finish college?"
"With all the trouble brewing in the city, the academy thought it was better to have us all graduate early."
"I see. The predicament in Caldera Cay is a very unfortunate thing to happen. Reminds me of your mother." Hiccup's shoulders went rigid. "It's a shame she had to die the way she did." Alvin snickers at his lack of response before excusing himself and telling the young man to have a nice evening.
Just as the prime minister left, he could sense the crowd's growing curiosity, whispering to each other. Choked by the atmosphere of the room, he quickens to the balcony and closes the curtains behind him.
Now finally free from prying curious eyes, he inhales the blazing cold air. A puff of mist escapes his lips as he stares off into the distance. His mind quickly went to the woman he met at the market. Her piercing gaze, alluring smile, and everything he had witnessed of her were engraved in his mind. A sense of calm washes over him.
"You're here." He freezes, the familiarity of her voice still ringing in his ears.
He whips around and sees her in a new blue dress. Her hands up to her elbows were covered by gloves of a lighter shade of blue. Her hair was neater, braided intricately around into a bun. Her cheeks rosier, her lips glistening from the light of the moon, and her gaze powerful like a musket shot right to his heart.
"I didn't think I'd see you again. Not tonight, that is." He never felt this lightheaded before. The rush climbing faster than smoke. "The big guy isn't with you?"
"Oh, you mean Eret. He's my uncle's footman. He's not always with me."
Her eyes travel down to his odd choice of clothing for a king's banquet. A growing delight in her expression as she watches his reaction.
"I forgot to change. Well, no. I couldn't make it home in time. I just came home from Caldera Cay. University. Just—just finished university." He pauses, feeling out of place. "I look ridiculous."
She ignores his awkward greeting. "May I join you?"
"Yes. Yes, of course. Not my balcony anyway." He steps aside as she takes in the sight of the castle garden. Curiosity in her eyes as she observes his face.
"Forgive me for being forthright, but I don't think I've seen you before."
"I was born in Berk, but my father wanted me to study in Caldera Cay since I was a kid," he said, nervous but excited. He never expected to feel such a range of emotions. "It wasn't as bad as it sounds; without my father constantly watching over me, it was easier to get away with most things."
"It sounds like you had a wonderful time."
"It was nice living in there, but... Berk will always be home. My family used to go to a cove for our camping trips. Not very far, but not known by many people. It was one of the few places I can remember with my mother before she passed when I was young." Somehow, that made him feel in tune with her. To feel attached to the home they grew up in.
"Do you ever plan to visit it again?"
"Maybe not now, but in the future when I have someone to share it with." He couldn't take his eyes away from her. The tips of his fingers, numbing with each second forcing him to hug himself. "What about you? Anything interesting happened to you recently?" He asked, watching her pursed lips as she paused for a moment to think. The warmth of their bodies brought them closer, finding comfort from the cold.
"The king asked the hand of a few ladies from different families. I was one of them."
"Oh?"
"My uncle wants me to say yes. He already has a plan for the wedding. The location and all."
"Oh..." His brows were pulled together with a slight slump on his shoulders. "But is that what you want?" She lightly shakes her head with a smile, but there is a hidden ingenuity to it as she looks back at him.
"Yes, but," She leans down a bit, unconsciously bringing his gaze back to her. "Not anymore." Reveling at the sight of him lighting up as the corners of his eyes crinkled. "My parents fell in love, and I want to know what it felt like."
"I think I may already have."
She rolls her eyes, snickering at his attempt at flirting. Her eyes sparkled as he inched closer to her, their arms almost touching.
"If you're anything like you're uncle. I'm guessing you already have a place in mind for a wedding?"
She smiles sheepishly. Hiccup listens carefully as she tells him how exactly she wanted it. He could picture it. Her going up the aisle in white and gold, making her blue eyes pop with the blue flower crown on her head. Everyone they knew would be there, her uncle looking at her with pride in his eyes. She'd take her lover's hands, looking at him the same way she was looking at him now as the elder blesses their union in the name of Frigga.
An old traditional Viking wedding.
He didn't expect her to be the conservative type, but unsurprising at the same time.
The white noise of mumbled chatter and music, along with the dim light of the moon, created a temptation for stolen kisses without the eyes of a crowd. He felt his palms sweat despite the brisk night air.
"Any chance I'll get to see it?"
"I don't think you're able to properly dress for the occasion." She giggles as he gasps, putting a hand on his chest and shaking his head. Quite theatrically offended.
"I assure you, m'lady, I'll be quite the charmer."
"I'm sure you will."
While attempting to focus on her eyes, his gaze kept drifting to her pink lips. Gods, how much he wanted to know what she tasted like, to feel her in his arms. He suddenly felt compelled to talk more. Distract himself before it was too late.
"So... you work for your uncle? At your family's meadery?"
"Started three years ago when I was fifteen. Said it would do me good to know how it worked if anything happened to him."
"Not many women would've thought of taking part in that kind of trade. Most would've complained they missed going to parties, gossiping, and fussing about their new dresses."
Her brow raised, partially questioning his words. "Is that wrong? Missing parties and new dresses?"
"N-no of course not. It's just... You took the challenge when others wouldn't. What I mean to say is, you deserve the praise, Astrid." As she bit her lip, the temptation grew inside, and this time, he knew he was staring.
"Who are you?" She looked at him incredulously. Unconsciously licking his lips, her cheeks grew redder as she mirrored his action. Both their hearts pounding in their chest.
"A hiccup? It's in my name?"
"I think you're more than that, Hiccup."
And it was too late. Hearing his name escape her lips was too much, and he leaned forward, his lips brushing against hers for a brief moment before he retreated. Fear and shame engulfed him like a flame.
"I'm—I'm sorry. I didn't—"
His apology was cut off short as she returned the kiss more strongly, her hands clasping on his collar. Temptation overtakes him, touching every open skin. Her gasp when his hand touched the side of her neck pushed him to find more ways to make her do it again. Her palms pressed against his chest, traveling down dangerously low to his abdomen before moving up to his shoulders back to his hair. She sinfully moaned as his tongue slid into her mouth, tasting her. She tries to return the favor by copying his actions but can't keep up as he lightly bites her lip. Scorching heat exchanged with every taste. The fire inside them grew, greedily trying to find more pleasure for relief.
"Astrid." He moans her name in between kisses.
He savored every bit of her, getting lost in her scent and her taste. His featherlight hands searched for where to touch her more, to drive her to the same intoxicated madness she was bringing him. It wasn't enough.
"Hiccup?" Fear took over the pleasure in his veins like cold water splashed on his face. He stopped the kiss, confusing her as he stepped away from her. "Son?" Stoick reveals himself as he moves the curtains aside. "When I said not to attract attention, I didn't mean hiding away."
"I wasn't hiding away." Hiccup replies while—lacking in subtlety—fixing his hair. His father shakes his head before landing on Astrid, affixed to her. Panic-stricken, Hiccup tried to explain the situation.
"Dad, this is—"
"I know very well who she is." Stoick never left his eyes on her, his glare sharper.
"Lord Haddock." Astrid greets him blankly, frozen from where she stood.
"Son, let's go."
"Dad, wait—"
"We'll talk later. The king's banquet is starting." Stoick stomped away, expecting Hiccup to have followed him, but he stayed put, trying to keep together whatever he and Astrid had made seconds ago.
"Astrid, I'm—"
"A Haddock. And to think that I..." A flash of horror passed across her face. She steps back away from him before quickly turning and heading back to the party.
"No, wait." He followed her out of the balcony, trying to reach out to her. Before he could raise his voice to call her again, he stopped. Finn Olav Hofferson, with his piercing blue eyes, glared at him, his hand on Astrid's shoulder. Exasperated, Stoick came back to retrieve Hiccup and get him to sit down when he saw Finn's glare on his son.
"Is there a problem, Lord Hofferson?"
"I should be asking you the same question, Lord Haddock," Finn utters their name like poison on his tongue. Stoick returns the look, a warning in their gazes. Hiccup silently pleads with her as the two men go on with their telepathic rumble, but Astrid never returns it. The footman interrupts their silent altercation and ushers them to quickly take their seat. Finn left with a huff and his chin high, Astrid following behind him.
"Let's go." Stoick waited for Hiccup to follow him before leading them to exchange a few words with the king. Seeing the other guests distracted, Stoick whispers to him. "Whatever what was happening between you two, I don't care. But stay away from Hoffersons. Understand?"
"Okay." He replied as he struggled not to look at her. Even his father's words weren't able to penetrate him. Her face only kept clouding his mind. He had to talk to her again.
If only he would stop staring, ignoring him would've been much easier. After the meal, Finn asked her if Hiccup had done anything wrong to her. Fortunately, she was able to convince him it was nothing, and he had wanted to talk to her for reasons she didn't know. Finn left her alone after that.
Her uncle, for some reason, had a deep hatred for Haddocks, and Astrid never knew why specifically. As a child, she only heard from their old housemaids how Haddocks were lying, deceitful snakes. She did take them to heart. Not until Hiccup, however. Despite lacking details, she knew Finn would never want her anywhere near him. The world be damned or not.
"Looks like someone's interested." Heather gently elbows her, tilting her head towards a caught and nervous Hiccup. He quickly made himself appear busy, looking at a potted plant with avid curiosity by the window. "He seems pretty cute."
"He's Lord Haddock's son," Astrid replied, trying to look uninterested.
"Really? How come we've never seen him before?"
"From what I've heard, he just came home from Caldera Cay. Spent years there for college."
"He took a big leap away from the tree, huh?"
Astrid didn't respond, but she couldn't deny the fact that it was considerably true. Stoick was a mountain of a man, full of fiery red hair and the presence of a bear. Hiccup was barely the size of his arm. Scrawny and awkward. She tries to look around for something else, distracting herself from the warmth in her chest.
Dagur's loud cackle takes their attention as he playfully punches Snotlout a little too roughly. Heather groans at seeing her brother's drunken state, which is slowly gathering more and more people's attention.
"I'm gonna have to go save my brother. Are you gonna be alright?"
"I'll be fine, Heather."
"I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?" With that, Heather ran off to her brother and gently pulled him away to the exit, convincing him it was time to go home. Astrid left to her senses with nothing to distract her.
To calm her nerves, she downed her white wine, grabbed another from a footman's tray, then hurried to a balcony to breathe and closed the curtains behind her. No matter how much she denied him, she couldn't deny the rush she felt when she found him again as he talked with the prime minister. He seemed upset, and she couldn't stop herself from following him to the balcony. Eager to wipe the sadness off his face. It was either the gravest or greatest decision she's ever made.
His awkward adorable nature mixed with the peach fuzz littered on his jaw was like a Snoggletog gift from the gods just for her. How much she loved seeing him smile. His eyes set on her. The feeling of his lips on hers, his touch. And his moan as he said her name. It sent a shiver down her spine. It was almost enough to make her throw everything to the wind and find him in the crowd to take his lips again.
But Finn. She had spent her entire life working to make him proud of her. She excelled in her education at dancing, arts, archery, and even fighting. He trusted her to the point of allowing her to take part in a business never meant for a woman of her standard. She persisted, and as a reward, he gave her everything. She can't lose him too.
"Astrid?" She stiffens at the sound of his voice. She wouldn't dare look at him or risk losing herself again, and she knew she wouldn't ever let him go. "I needed to talk to you."
"Your chicanery was commendable, Mr. Haddock." A cloud of mist escapes her lips. The cold numbing the tips of her fingers.
"I never intended to deceive anyone." She swivels toward him, anger bubbling inside.
"And yet you knew who I was and..." The look of pain in his eyes torments her. She couldn't finish and turns away from him. Control. That's what Finn always said, and she must keep it that way.
"Astrid—"
"Stop calling me that." Her heart pumping a million per minute. She shouldn't be talking to him. Everything about this conversation was wrong.
"I'm not here to embarrass you. I hoped... If there was a sliver of a chance—" She cuts him off with a mocking laugh. Her grip on the wine glass tightened.
"That it would work out? This..." Her hand gestures to the two of them. Whatever it was they had, it didn't exist. It shouldn't exist. She shakes her head. "We can't. My uncle needs me and your father too."
"I don't care about what he thinks."
"Is that why you didn't want him to catch us earlier?" He was about to respond but held back, becoming increasingly frustrated.
"No, of course not." He said, quite defeated. At that moment, she sensed a connection with him aside from the butterflies in her stomach. No matter how invisible the weight, expectations still exist. She doesn't blame him for lying. If she was in the same position, she would've done the same. Astrid sighed and bent down slightly to catch his eyes.
"You may not care about what your family thinks, but I care about mine."
"But I..." Before he could take another step, she raised a hand, prompting him to stop where he stood. Control is what she needs to be to put a stop to this nonsense they both are into. No matter how much she loves him, it'll never work.
"I'm going home. Have a good night."
A/N: updated for corrections.