The runaway Valedictorian(HICCSTRID)

8 Roadtrip

The Friday afternoon after the previous chapter
Hiccups POV:

    I sighed as I put my bag of clothes into the boot of the car. That was the last of it. All that was left to do was get Toothless in and then get Astrid and Stormfly. I turned around to see Toothless holding a leash in his mouth, while giving me puppy eyes.
    I smiled and walked up to him and took the lead out of his mouth and explained, “No, were going to go for a drive.”
    He pouted like a child and I smiled and scratched his chin and said, “Stormfly is going to come with.”
    Instantly his tail started to wave like it had a mind of its own. He barked happily and then started to walk towards my car like a good dog. Yeah, right, that lazy cat.
    I smiled and fished out my keys and walked towards the car. I opened the back door for Toothless to jump in and he happily jumped in. I then closed the door and pushed a button on my remote and the boot closed too. I then walked around and climbed in the driver seat.
    I started the engine and then the garage doors opened. I smiled and adjusted my sunglasses and drove out of my garage and fence as they both closed behind me. I smiled and took the shortest route towards Astrid’s flat. I smiled even more as I passed all the white modern houses that I designed.
     After a year staying here, in Caldera Cay, there was a problem for the housing of all my employees. And it prevented people from working here, because they didn’t want to leave their families, which I understood. So I came up with a solution. I bought a large piece of farm land and made Viking Estate. I then designed a few houses, but got a whole team to design the complex and all its houses and streets and ect. And now housing wasn’t a problem anymore. And the amount of money I get from the estate, I put all into the community, because I could honestly not use any of it.
    I smiled as I finally reached the new white flats that I builded a month ago. Even though I have enough houses, I still build more houses, because people always stream here. And because there were so many people coming here, they started to build a university here in Caldera Cay and I thought it would be better to be prepared and start to build more places for students to stay.
    I switched my car off and then climbed out of my car and let Toothless out. He immediately jumped out and raced towards the front door of Astrid flat. He barked happily and I shook my head and walked to the front door. And as I started to go up the steps the door and Astrid stood there, with her hands on her hips and an unimpressed look on her gorgeous face. She didn’t have her work attire on anymore and it was replaced with some jean shorts, hiking boots and a red T-shirt. And I wiped my mouth to make sure I wasn’t drooling, because, Gods, she looked beautiful.
    Toothless ignored her completely and immediately went into the house, probably to look for Stormfly.
    “Can’t you control your dog?” she asked me.
    I emmitated her posture and asked sarcastically, “Can you?”
    I then darted my eyes behind and she looked around to see Stormfly and Toothless playing on her couch. She looked back to me and said, “Good point.”
    I smiled back and asked, “You packed?”
    She nodded and said, “Come in.” She then turned and walked into her flat and I followed her into the room. And was slightly shocked. I knew I designed the flats for this building, but dam Astrid made this room look really good.
    She walked toward, what I guess was, her bedroom door and walked in. I followed her in and it was her bedroom. It looked mostly neat and her bed was a suitcase. “It is just this and then another bag in my closet,” she explained.
    I nodded and replied, “I’ll take the suitcase.” She looked at me as if I was humiliating her, because I was just gentlemen. But I remember that Hoffersons was one of the most prideful and stubborn families I will ever know. Too bad I am just as stubborn. Before she could argue I grabbed her suitcase and held it in my arms. And I was shocked how heavy it was.
    “Dam, M’lady. You know we are just staying for a weekend and not an entire month. Or are you moving back?” I replied and huffed.
    She gave me a small smile and said, “It’s just my dress and some extra clothes. And don’t worry, I am not moving back anytime soon.”
    I smiled and said, “Good, well let’s get this show on the road.”
    We then loaded her things in the car and after a minute it was all done. Now the only thing we needed to do was get Toothless and Stormfly in. Easy task. “So how are we getting them in the car?” Astrid asked.
    I smirked at her and she looked at me confused. I then made a quick high pitched whistle and the next moment Toothless came galloping out of the house, with Stormfly just behind him. He then came all the way up to me and I looked at Astrid. And she was looking shocked at me and Toothless.
    “That is how, M’lady,” I replied smugly.
    She rolled her eyes and punched my shoulder, playfully. I acted as if it hurt, and it wasn’t really so hard because she punched like a truck. “Oh, just shut up, you big baby,” she teased.
    I stuck my tongue out to her and then made the back door open for Toothless and Stormfly. Stormfly was the first one to jump in and then Toothless came reluctantly afterwards. I don’t know really why, but Toothless had something against driving. Wasn’t really sure, but often used treats to lure him in.
    I then closed the door and opened the door for Astrid and said, “After you, M’lady.”
    She smiled a small smile and said, “Thank you, kind sir.” She then climbed in the car and I closed the door for her and then went to the other side and climbed into the driver seat. “So are you going to tell me where you booked us to sleep tonight or am I going to wait?” she immediately asked.
    I smiled cheekily and said, “You will just have to wait and see. And no, you won’t be getting any other reply.”
    She crossed her arms, annoyed, and sat back in her seat. “Unfair,” she muttered.
    I just smiled and looked back at the dogs in the backseat. I have placed a few blankets over the seats so that their hair won’t come on to the leather seat. And they were both staring at each other, like they were thinking of ways to play inside of the car.
    “Toothless,” I said and he looked at me with big innocent eyes, “You will behave until we get there. Otherwise we won’t be going for our morning run.” His expression turned from innocent expression turned to outrages and he gave a small whine of complaint. “And if you behave there might be a bone for you, once we get there.”
    His ears shot up and his tail started to clap against the door. “But behave,” I ordered. He barked happily and did a spin and sat like a person. I then turned to Stormfly and said, “And there will be a bone for you too, if you behave, Stormfly.”
    She barked happily and that sat up right and I smiled and turned to Astrid. She gave me a smirk and asked, “Are you trying to steal my baby, with treats?”
    I grinned and said, “Don’t worry. I won’t, but Toothless might.”
    She grinned and looked back at the dogs and said, “Yeah, your baby might steal my baby.” I smiled and looked back at the dogs and she then turned to me and asked, “Well, shall we get the show on the road?”
    I grinned and said, “Now that the previews are over, we shall start the main event.” I started the car and finished, “The road trip.”
    She giggled a bit at my drama and I started to drive out of the estate.
   
    We have been driving about two hours and we have been talking consistently. At some points we would listen to a bit of music, like anything random, and other times we would be just talking. After an hour the dogs started to sleep and it was adorable.
    They were both leaning towards each other in curled balls, but instead of completing their curled balls, Toothless’s head rested on Stormfly’s front paws and Stormfly’s head rested on Toothless’s neck. Astrid took a picture of it and we continued to talk, and every now and then we would sneak a glance at them.
     We were now driving at the main road towards Berk, but it was currently packed with cars going in both ways and we couldn’t really get to a high speed. But I smiled when I saw the turn off that we were supposed to take. I flicked the blinker and turned right and took the turn off and started to drive down the lean, but completely empty road.
    Astrid looked around and asked, “Umm, Hiccup, why did we just climb off the main road?”
    I smiled and replied, “Don’t worry. This is the route we should take.”
    She frowned and asked, “Why?”
    I smirked and asked, “You are suddenly curious about how I am driving?”
    She looked at me playfully and said, “Well, I need to know the route you are taking to abduct me now, shouldn’t I?”
    I chuckled a bit and said, “I wouldn’t dream of it, M’lady. And there are a few reasons why we are taking this road.”
    “And they are?” Astrid asked, curious.
    I smiled and said, “One, no one really drives it so there isn’t really any traffic. Two, it is a really beautiful route and you definitely need to see it. And lastly, the place we are staying is on this road, so there isn’t really another way.”
    She looked at me and nodded. “Ok,” she replied, “I will keep an open mind.”
    I smiled and said, “Don’t worry, you won’t regret it.”
    So we continued to drive. She occasionally asked where we were sleeping and I always replied with the same answer. But after a few minutes we started to drive up the dragon’s pass and she went silent and stared out of the window. I couldn’t really blame her. Because it was beautiful. Driving against the side of the mountains with thick oak woods to the side of the mountains. The river that flowed between the mountains and the few bridges that went over it. And then there was the one magical waterfall we drove past, which I needed to stop for her to take a picture.
    After we took a picture it started to rain and Astrid kept on staring dreamily out of the window. I then got an idea and pushed one of the buttons on the side of the steering wheel and then the most magical thing happened. The roof went invisible and you could see how all the raindrops fell on it. (Could be pretty cool if it existed)Astrid gasped and her azure eyes sparkled with amazement and I smiled.
    She had a huge smile on her face and looked at me and was about to say something, but I just replied, “I know and you can thank me later. Just appreciate it for now.”
    She didn’t reply and just kept staring up into the rain as it dropped on the roof. I smiled and kept driving the car through the pass and after 20 minutes we finally exited the dragon pass and the rain stopped and was replaced by the night sky with its countless stars. Astrid kept staring up at the roof and I continued to drive the dark empty road. And after a while she looked at me and said, “Ok, I have to admit that that was pretty cool.”
    I smiled and said, “I am glad that you liked it.”
    She smiled and asked, “How do you know about this route?”
    I smiled and replied, “Just before my mother went to Africa, she and I took a little road trip, while my dad had to go to some major conference thing somewhere. And she took me through this pass and it was one of the best times I had with her.” I smiled at the memory, but faded a bit away when I remembered the day she went. “And then she left,” I mumbled.
    Astrid looked at me sympathetically and said, “Hiccup, your mother misses you. And wants to be a part of your life.”
    I flashed her a small smile of gratitude and said, “Thanks, Astrid. But I am pretty sure that she won’t even recognise me.”
    She smiled a bit and said, “Well, you can’t really blame her, because you really changed. Heck, I saw you in person and didn’t even recognise you for a week. And my parents and uncle also saw a photo of you and didn’t even recognise you. But I have a feeling that she will recognise you the moment you step out of the car. I am willing to bet on it.”
    I smiled and said, “Thanks, Astrid.” I took a deep breath and said, “I just hope they are happy to see me.”
    She smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Hiccup. They will be delighted.”
    I smiled and we drove in silence for a moment, until I said, “You know, I am willing to make a bet.”
    She smirked at me and asked, “And what are you willing to bed mister Harrison.”
    I glared at her playfully and replied, “I am willing to bet five dollars that my cousin will greet you with the word babe.”
    She groaned and said, “Agh, I will kill him if he says that.”
    I smirked and commented, “Well, I should get a body bag ready for him then.”
    She smiled at me and we continued to talk for a few minutes, until we finally got there. I turned right into the small smooth ground path and drove up it for a hundred yards until the oak house came up in front of us.
    Astrid looked at me and asked, “Is this where we would be staying?”
    I grinned and nodded and replied, “Yip,” while popping the ‘p’, “It’s a property I bought and refurnitured five years ago.” I kept the lights on of the car, so that it would produce some light and opened the car door. I quickly opened the door for the dogs and they jumped happily out of the car and stretched their legs, while Astrid climbed out of the car.
    “So why did you buy it?” she asked as we both walked to the front door.
    I put the key in the door and replied, “Well, I sometimes want to get away from the company to relax and it was either always staying in a fancy hotel, where people can recognise me or a private place that is away from everyone. So I took the second option.”
    The door opened and I quickly rushed in and put the security code into the keypad and the alarm switched off. I sighed and switched the lights on and it illuminated the room. The dogs happily came in, while Astrid walked in and gaped at the place.
    “Wow,” she replied and stared at the room.
    I smiled and said, “You can take a look around if you want. I’m going to get everything out of the car.”
    She didn’t really reply and just nodded and stared at the place. I couldn’t really blame it, because it was one of my best designs. So I just walked outside and went to get all our bags.