A/N: A little later than intended, but I think this is much better than the previous version of chapter 21. Enjoy. Oh, and I think my beta reader went on holiday or something. They've engaged radio silence at any rate so there may be typos and if there are, I apologise.
…
The man of the hour stepped into the hospital room and looked left, then right, turning in the direction of Hiccup's incoming left fist just as it hit him in the face.
The punch caused Grimmel to stumble, allowing Astrid to take off running in the commotion.
At the same time, Hiccup grabbed Grimmel's pistol in an attempt to wrestle it out of his grasp. However, Grimmel's grip was firm on the gun as he squeezed off a shot, causing dust to cascade down from the wall by the door.
As the dust began to settle, Hiccup's adrenaline surged, his mind racing with thoughts of protecting Astrid and himself.
He knew he had to create a diversion to buy Astrid more time to escape and so Hiccup launched himself at Grimmel, aiming a powerful kick with his prosthetic leg towards his midsection.
The impact knocked the wind out of Grimmel, causing him to stumble backwards, his grip on the gun momentarily loosening.
Seizing the opportunity, Hiccup lunged forward, his fingers grasping desperately for the pistol. His hand closed around the cold metal, and he wrenched it away from Grimmel's weakened grasp, tossing it aside.
Their eyes locked for a brief moment, filled with a mixture of determination and fury respectively.
However, Grimmel, who had more experience at being a soldier than Hiccup had been alive, was not one to be easily defeated. With a surge of strength, he launched himself at Hiccup, tackling him to the ground. Mentor and mentored grappled, their bodies entangled in a fierce struggle.
Punches were thrown, elbows swung, and the sound of their exertion began to fill the room.
Hiccup's mind raced, knowing that he couldn't allow Grimmel to overpower him. He managed to land a solid punch to Grimmel's jaw, the blow snapping his head to the side. Taking advantage of the opening, Hiccup scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding in his chest.
He could hear the distant sound of Astrid's footsteps fading away, indicating that she was making her escape and so with newfound determination, Hiccup glanced around the room, searching for anything that could aid his escape.
His eyes fell upon a metal tray filled with medical instruments. Without hesitation, he grabbed the tray and hurled it towards Grimmel, using it as both a distraction and a makeshift weapon.
Grimmel's hand curled around his pistol just as the tray collided with his chest, causing him to stagger backwards, momentarily disoriented. Hiccup seized the opportunity and sprinted towards the room's exit, adrenaline surging through his veins.
He burst through the door, carefully stepping over the corpses of the two MPs from earlier before darting onwards to the far end of the corridor.
There he found a door which indicated a staircase beyond, but paused in front of it and glanced back, taking the opportunity to wipe some blood from his lips; a consequence of being elbowed in the face earlier.
In the interim, the section of wall next to his head spontaneously exploded, missing him by inches and causing bits of plaster to fall from it as a bullet hit it.
Hiccup jumped through the staircase door, taking the stairs two at a time and ending up in a second corridor, this time chaotic as hospital staff and patients alike had heard the gunshot.
A few eyes fell on Hiccup.
"All of you, go!" he barked.
Those looking his way heard the authority in his voice and his stern expression and obeyed without question.
Up ahead, navigating through the panicked crowd of hospital staff and patients. Astrid glanced back, her eyes filled with worry, catching his gaze but Hiccup gestured for her to keep going, his expression determined.
Getting halfway through the crowded corridor after her, the slam of the door he had entered through served as a warning as Grimmel emerged.
Thankfully, Astrid was no longer in the corridor by this point, having reached a T junction. Looking left, he saw a sign for an emergency exit and looking right, he saw a covered walkway, with views to the street outside the hospital.
At the end of the walkway, he spotted an open door leading to another stairwell, and he rushed inside, once more taking the steps two at a time.
As he descended the stairs, the distant sound of police sirens could be heard wailing in the air, indicating that help was on the way.
Bursting through the stairwell's exit, he emerged into the fresh air of the hospital courtyard.
The courtyard stretched out before Hiccup, basking in the afternoon sunlight. Stone pathways crisscrossed through neatly tended flowerbeds, adding a touch of colour to the otherwise concrete surroundings.
Benches dotted the area, providing spots for people to rest and gather their thoughts. In the centre, a fountain gushed water, its sounds creating a serene atmosphere. Tall trees provided shade, while the air carried the scent of cleanliness and the bustling energy of the hospital.
Hiccup scanned the immediate area, searching for a means of escape and ignoring everything else. Spotting a sufficiently old vehicle, he sprinted towards it, praying that the keys were inside.
With a stroke of luck, he found the door unlocked, granting him access to the driver's seat.
Before getting inside, he glanced around to ensure he was still in the clear and then quickly assessed the vehicle more thoroughly. It was an old BMW M3 but still in good condition; its age was perfect for what he planned to do next.
With a steady hand, Hiccup slid into the worn leather seat, his fingers dancing over the dashboard. His eyes focused on the ignition, searching for the wires he needed to manipulate. Despite the pain in his injured right foot, he ignored the discomfort, his determination overriding any physical limitations.
As Hiccup located the ignition wires, his mind recalled the training he had received during his days in the SAS. He knew he had to bypass the vehicle's security system and override the ignition mechanism.
His fingers deftly moved to strip the insulation from the necessary wires, revealing the bare metal underneath. The colours and patterns were etched into his memory, allowing him to swiftly identify the ones he needed.
"You know how to hotwire a car?" a feminine voice asked, with Astrid having reached the truck just as Hiccup prepared to connect the wires. "Yes. Glad you're here. Get in," was his immediate response, not bothering to stop working on his task and look at her.
Without hesitation, she climbed into the passenger seat, her eyes fixed on Hiccup's hands, watching what he was doing closely with a not insignificant amount of interest.
With a precise touch, Hiccup brought together the correct wires, watching as sparks ignited and the engine growled to life. The satisfaction of success briefly washed over him as the dashboard lights illuminated, indicating the vehicle was ready for their escape.
Now sitting back in the driver's seat, he met Astrid's gaze as she sat beside him. She regarded him with relief at having escaped the hospital building safely and the beginnings of concern over what might happen next.
He nodded towards her door and she nodded back at him after a moment, understanding his unspoken instruction to put her seatbelt on by doing that very thing just as Hiccup slammed the dashboard panel shut, cutting off any exposed wires, and shifted the gear into drive.
The vehicle lurched forward, propelling them away from the hospital grounds just as the first of a group of police cars arrived.
The sound of the engine's roar drowned out the chaos around them, and Hiccup's gaze flickered between the road ahead and Astrid by his side. With each passing second, their escape became more tangible, the weight of the situation slowly lifting from their shoulders.
As they merged into the flow of traffic, Hiccup's grip on the steering wheel finally started to relax.
From the walkway which overlooked the hospital courtyard, Grimmel nodded, pleased as he put away his gun and took out a phone instead, having just observed his former pupil's escape.
"Stage one of the plan is now complete. He will be preoccupied for a little while. Proceed with stage two."
Grimmel hung up immediately after that and hurried back the way he came.
By the time the police reached the covered walkway, Grimmel had left the building with not a trace left behind that hinted as to who he was, except the two dead MPs and a few bullet casings.
The latter proved useless, however as the man had been wearing gloves for the duration of his… eventful hospital visit.
…
Hiccup pulled the BMW to a stop, undid his seatbelt and got out. Astrid blinked as she watched him leave, noting with some confusion and concern that they were back at his house and not making their escape. "Uh, what are you doing? Shouldn't we get out of here?"
"I need to pick up something, you need to pack a suitcase for Faslane and Grimmel won't find us immediately. He wasn't following us; I checked but we should be quick regardless, so c'mon. Time is of the essence."
Hiccup was the first to step inside, and no sooner had Astrid closed the door that she found Hiccup pushing her up against it and leaning in close.
"This really isn't the time for that, babe. You said it yourself."
He responded by slapping a hand to the door beside her head. "You likely have several questions about what happened at the hospital. Before I can answer them, I want you to know that I like you, and at the end of this, I would like you to still like me, so if you can, please try not to hate me once I tell you my… secret."
"Well, we all have our secrets. I have one or two. At the risk of regretting saying this: how bad could yours be? Grimmel aside I mean."
"Sure you want to know?"
"To be honest, no, but I feel like I should know anyways… Do… do you know any other people like Grimmel?"
"As dangerous as Grimmel? Yes. As likely to kill you? No. I know quite a few soldiers."
"Right. I'm going to go finish packing. You can tell me on the road, right?"
"Yeah."
"Good. Back up babe. See you in a few."
She entered the bedroom and pulled her suitcase out from under the bed. Meanwhile, Hiccup also entered the room and approached the nightstand on the side of the bed where he slept.
She unzipped the suitcase to open it, then stood, becoming aware of Hiccup's presence.
"Couldn't afford to stay away?"
"After Grimmel, yep."
Though both intended to make light of the situation, it fell flat for both of them.
Conversation stopped dead as Astrid approached the main chest of drawers to procure some final pieces of clothing and Hiccup set about unlocking a specific drawer of the three that were part of his nightstand.
Hearing a click, she looked over at him.
The middle drawer was open and he had a gun, a pistol, in one hand, with the slide drawn back with his other hand as he inspected the internals of the pistol.
Her voice was steady despite the surprise and her gaze was fixed on the gun. "I always wondered why your nightstand drawer was locked. Now I know."
"Why didn't you ask then? You only had to ask. And in case you're wondering, yes, it's one of my secrets. It's for emergencies and highly illegal for me to have this, so you can't tell anyone."
"Okay… Don't see how this would make me hate you though…"
"Oh, it's not that secret. That's a different one. Oh, fuck it: I was in the SAS, Grimmel was my training instructor and I'm rich because of blood money. I have a gun for defence purposes and because I've told you this, the government can and will fall on us both like a ton of bricks if you decide to tell anyone else and the media hears about it, so don't under any circumstances."
Hiccup quickly left the room after that, leaving her standing in stunned silence.
…
Entering the living room with her suitcase in tow a few minutes later, Astrid's gaze swept the familiar space, and relief washed over her as she found Hiccup exactly where she had hoped he would be.
He was seated on the couch, Toothless nestled contentedly in his lap, their eyes flicking toward her as she entered the room. While Toothless quickly resumed his grooming without a care, Hiccup's gaze lingered on her as she pulled her suitcase to stand upright, the handle still extended.
"Ready to go?" Hiccup's voice broke the silence, brimming with a mix of anticipation and concern.
Astrid turned to face him, a playful glint in her eyes. "Not quite," she replied, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "And you accuse me of staring."
Hiccup remained silent, his eyes following her as she left the room momentarily. A sense of curiosity filled him as he wondered what she had in store. Soon enough, Astrid reappeared, holding a first aid kit she had acquired when they first moved in together.
"Show me your leg," Astrid requested, her tone firm yet caring.
"My leg is fine. No phantom pain," Hiccup reassured her, his voice carrying a hint of defiance.
Astrid raised an eyebrow, unyielding in her determination. "The other leg," she clarified.
Blinking in momentary confusion, Hiccup's face cleared as realization dawned upon him. "Oh. I was thinking of other things for the last few minutes, the leg slipped my mind. No pain though, so I don't think I need first aid."
Astrid let out a soft sigh. "And which of us has medical training?"
A flicker of surrender danced across Hiccup's features, and he sighed in resignation. Setting Toothless down on the floor, he stood up and reached back to retrieve the gun from the back of his jeans, handing it over to Astrid. His face darkened, his teeth clicking together in a mix of frustration and vulnerability. "Excuse me?"
Astrid met his gaze with unwavering determination. "Put down the gun. I don't want it to accidentally go off in your waistband."
Hiccup's resistance faltered, and he sighed once more. He carefully placed the gun aside, his eyes never leaving Astrid's. "I thought you were implying I would shoot you with it."
"Sorry. I'll… I'll make up for that later. Now, roll up that jean leg and take off your sock," Astrid instructed.
Hiccup nodded. He resumed sitting on the couch, rolling up his jean leg while Astrid knelt before him. As she grasped his foot, her touch gentle yet purposeful, she meticulously examined his lower leg. The bandage that enveloped his calf bore a darker hue, but the absence of any fresh fluid was a reassuring sign.
Having completed her brief assessment, Astrid rolled the leg of his jeans back down and carefully replaced his sock. "It looks alright to me for now, but I don't want you straining yourself, so you're staying put. Guess the gala your Dad wanted us at is a no-go for us."
Hiccup's sigh carried a tinge of disappointment. "Shame. I would have liked to see the dress your sister picked out."
Astrid's smile faltered briefly, concern resurfacing in her eyes. "So listen, about earlier? Thanks for telling me."
"You're welcome…?" Hiccup trailed off, his weariness evident as he leaned back into the couch. "Astrid, how the fuck are you okay with what I told you?"
Astrid's expression softened, and she leaned in closer, their faces mere inches apart. "The way I see it, or at least how the British government sees it, is a necessary evil. You haven't done any of those kinds of… jobs since we got together, have you?" She shook her head, her eyes fixed on his. "So you haven't killed anyone since then?"
He shook his head."No."
Her voice filled with conviction, Astrid continued, "Do you plan to?"
"Yes, Grimmel," Hiccup responded, his voice laced with resignation.
"No one else?" Astrid pressed, her voice steady and unwavering.
Hiccup's silence spoke volumes, a hint of his inner turmoil etched upon his face. "I didn't say that."
Astrid's gaze locked with his, her voice filled with unwavering support. "But you haven't done it yet. So you can choose not to. You're not out of control. You're not a madman with a gun."
"Not much different as far as the law would be concerned, milady. If I ever ended up in court, I'd go to prison either way."
Unfazed, Astrid's voice held steadfast hope. "You can change. You have been changing, ever since we met. Or did you not notice you've been getting less angry over time? You can improve further."
A pained expression crossed Hiccup's features, his doubts lingering. "Astrid, I know you're trying to justify this to me, but it's not enough."
Astrid shook her head, her love for him unwavering. "I'm justifying this to myself, babe. You're alright in my book. Not without flaws, but good enough."
A mixture of vulnerability and gratitude swept over Hiccup as he absorbed her words, his voice trembling with emotion. "Not without flaws is correct. Not enough emphasis on that."
Astrid's gaze held steadfast, her voice tender yet resolute. "Hiccup, I fell in love with you. So I guess I'm just as flawed, and maybe more so, than you are."
Hiccup's mouth opened and closed, his astonishment rendering him momentarily speechless. Sensing the opportune moment, Astrid leaned forward, bridging the remaining distance between them, and pressed her lips gently against his in a kiss that spoke of love, acceptance, and unwavering support.
As they pulled away, Astrid's voice filled with a mix of tenderness and determination. "We should call our parents," she suggested, her fingers gently tracing his jawline. "Let them know we're okay and explain why we can't go to the gala. Next, we get out of Berk. Then after we do that…"
Hiccup's curiosity was piqued, his voice laced with anticipation. "What then?"
A mischievous glimmer danced in Astrid's eyes as she playfully, yet with underlying seriousness replied, "You've saved my life twice now, babe. I'm going to make you see stars. It's only fair."
A wry smile graced Hiccup's lips as he leaned in, his voice filled with playful defiance. "Hmm, no. On the contrary, milady; Once you're safe in Faslane, I'm going to do that to you."
She smiled. "Can't wait. Anyway, who to call first? Your Dad or my Mum?"
"Doesn't matter. Let's just call them on the way to the ferry port."
Astrid had no objections, so that is exactly what they did.
…
The hospital room was a small, sterile space, illuminated by the soft glow of fluorescent lights overhead.
The walls, painted in a dull shade of white, were pristine, except for the wall to the right of the door, which was marred as a result of the intense struggle that had taken place within.
A bullet had punctured this wall, the plaster cracked in a spider web which spread outwards from the hole. Fine particles of dust and debris drifted into the air, slowly settling as the chaos subsided.
Next to the wall, there was a hospital bed, underneath which, on the floor, a metal tray was discarded.
The tray, typically used for holding medical-related equipment, now bore the signs of the fierce struggle that had unfolded.
It had been forcefully grabbed by Hiccup, causing the instruments to spill onto the floor, and after being used by the soldier, had come away dented and slightly bent from the impact of being thrown.
Its surface, once smooth and polished, now carried a few scratches and scuff marks, evidence of the improvised weapon's journey through the room.
Thuggory Ewing glanced around the room, devoid of any sign of Captain Haddock, then turned around to look at the corpses of his colleagues with a sigh as one after another their bodies were stowed in bags and concealed from view.
What the fuck happened in here? And why? Where is Hiccup?
Thuggory's phone started ringing and he had never grabbed it faster in his entire life than he did then, so desperate for answers as he suddenly found himself to be.
Glancing at the screen, however, he found it wasn't Hiccup who was calling. It was an unknown number, and so a deflated Thuggory sighed and answered the call.
"Hello?"
"Thuggory, where are you right now?"
"Your hospital room. Where are you right now?"
"No time to explain. Can you get in touch with Ug and Teeny and tell them to head to the ferry port? Same if you see Mrs Hofferson anywhere."
"O-kay… now what phone are you using? I don't recognise the number…"
"It's Astrid's phone. She's with me right now."
"And you're going to the ferry port to leave Berk? Can't say I blame you with how your hospital room looks. What happened here by the way?"
"Long story. I'll tell you later if you want. Now please do what I asked."
"Yeah, yeah, Haddock. I'm on it."