You Are Never Alone

Chapter 1: For the Future

Present day, five years later...

Snotlout ran through the streets of Berk City whilst being dragged by an extremely hyper dog of his. His legs could barely keep up with the pace of Hookfang's strides, yet he tried his best to take control.

"Hookfang calm down! Look, you can have a doughnut, just please stop."

The word "doughnut" definitely caught the attention of the Mastiff. He immediately brought himself to a halt, sitting straight and licking his lips eagerly. His owner rolled his eyes before tossing a small ball of plain fried dough up high, then snatched by a pair of drooling jaws. "Now you better stop running or you might get us both into trouble. If you wanna wreck hell, do it at Astrid's place," Snotlout whispered. The dog cocked his head as if he understood his words, probably not though. With a tug on his leash, Hookfang stood up and followed alongside Snotlout obediently.

As the pair arrived at Astrid's front door, Snotlout grabbed a hidden spare key of Astrid's in one of the potted plants on her doorstep. After an emergency a year prior, she decided to trust Snotlout with the key, knowing he would be there in a snap. However, she knew that revealing the its whereabouts would give him the opportunity to 'abuse' his responsibility, which was entering her home whenever he felt like. It took her a few months to get used to it, and now she had dedicated a shelf in her pantry just for Snotlout's snacks if he showed up hungry.

As he unlocked the door, the man barged in, followed closely by his dog. Finding the living room empty, he dropped his backpack on the couch and locked the front door before releasing Hookfang off his leash. "Astrid! You home?" He yelled out as he hung his coat sloppily over her coat hanger, stuffing the leash into a pocket. Shuffling came from the only bedroom in the apartment, where Astrid appeared from moments later.

Hookfang bounded up to her, his tail wagging excitedly as she knelt down, hugging him whilst laughing heartily. "Aww, have you been a good boy, Hooky? I know you have!"

She looked up to find Snotlout making himself at home in front of her television, popping one of the remaining doughnuts into his mouth. "Hah, don't treat him like a baby, he's been nothing but a monster."

Hookfang spun around and snarled at his master, only to be snarled back at. Astrid just shook her head before standing up again. Typical Jorgenson interaction.

As she made her way to her kitchen area, Snotlout pulled out a paper bag before tossing it over to her. "Got you some doughnuts, particularly the strawberry-filled ones since you love 'em."

"Thanks a bunch, mate," Astrid replied before having one herself. When he was done snacking, Snotlout got up and sat on one of the bar stools neatly arranged by her kitchen island.

"So Astrid," he started. "The main reason I'm here is not because my tv is busted again... but I've got something serious I need to discuss with you."

Astrid's gut churned. She never liked it when Snotlout spoke about serious matters. Throughout their slow-building friendship, he had proven himself extremely reckless and ignorant, always making a joke of everything and just enjoyed his life to the fullest. Whenever his demeanour changed however, it felt as if all joy and contentment got sucked out of the room.

"Look, we're a year from being through with our studies, and we've got to start our transition into the employment sector. Astrid, it's time you start working on yourself to make your life so much happier and comfortable. You've opened up a lot to me in the past few years, but unfortunately I'm not the person who can give you proper help."

Astrid groaned, turning her head away. "I knew you'd bring it up," she whispered through gritted teeth. Not only did she strongly dislike those serious conversations, she despised those that discussed her mental health. She had tried a shrink two years ago, but she was extremely pressured by the tiny old lady. Although she appeared sweet and gentle, she never seemed to have much patience with her client, which made Astrid highly uncomfortable.

"I know what had happened the last time, but you need to know that you have to work on yourself. It's now or never, Astrid," Snotlout explained, deeply concerned about his best friend. "You've got to trust me. I'm not forcing you, but there's no other way. You can't move on like this... it'll just do you worse."

"I've got my own studies to prioritise right now too, Snot."

"Well... you and I both know that you've been excelling and that you can afford to use a small amount of your study time on something that could save you and your future from major stress and difficulties."

Silence fell over the two, Astrid not thoroughly convinced and Snotlout feeling close to defeated. However, he knew he wasn't yet. "I know someone who would be great help. He's... a cousin of mine, fresh grad about a year ago. I promise you he's not intolerant, nor is he the sort that would ever leak private information. He's extremely professional with his job from what I've seen since he started. I'm just asking you to give him a shot. I know he'll do you good."

Astrid finally looked back at Snotlout. Scepticism was present in her eyes, yet she couldn't hide her genuine interest. All her life she wanted to feel as confident as she used to, and Snotlout was right. This was her last chance to make a proper change, for the years to come would be extremely hectic.

Snotlout just drummed the tabletop before getting up with a sigh. "I'm just gonna let that information marinade for some time. I'm really worried about you, Astrid. I care about you, and the last thing I want is for you to be overwhelmed and distraught, to be in danger."

He turned to look at the front door, then the television, then at a wall clock not too far away. He just shrugged to himself before flopping onto the sofa and switching the television on. "Hey, I've got some time to spare, what d'you wanna watch?"

"I'll do it."

"What show is that- wait what?" Snotlout spun his head back towards the kitchen island where Astrid stood. Her stance was confident, her eyes gleamed with determination, and maybe a slight hint of hesitation.

"I'll meet with your cousin." Astrid replied. "I'm sick of having these inner battles, I'm sick of feeling lost and afraid. I want to finally feel like a person again."

The young man paused for a moment, not believing his ears. "Y-you sure? You're certain? Remember, I'm not pressuring you into this."

All he received was a nod and a smile. She was. Snotlout couldn't help but crack a small grin of his own, having an internal celebration of his own. "Alrighty then. I'll let him know this weekend."

Astrid sat next to him as Hookfang hopped onto the couch and lay between them, chewing on a huge chew toy. "So, what's up this weekend?"

"Oh, the family is getting together for a reunion dinner, it's a must for all 'alive' Jorgensons to show up. Also Hiccup, the therapist guy I've been referring to, even though he's technically a Haddock. My grandpa adopted his father as a toddler, but they never changed his last name."

Astrid nearly choked on a glass of water she has been sipping. "Hiccup??"

"Yeah, ridiculous, am I right?"

"I mean... what does 'Snotlout' even mean?"

Her friend scoffed and rolled his eyes, fixing his attention on the television instead.

Astrid just continued talking, curious about his reunion dinner as he himself rarely visited his own parents. "So it's just strictly family only? Is Minden going?"

"Nope, partners can't go unless they're engaged or married. Ugh, it's so crappy. Not even my parents are interested in meeting her!"

"Hey, that's alright, I can accompany her that night then. Need not worry about us," she patted his shoulder. Besides Snotlout, Minden was the only other person Astrid felt truly comfortable with. After meeting her through Snotlout when they had already been dating for a few months, the pair had an unusually strong connection. The only thing that prevented them from meeting earlier was Snotlout's fear of making Astrid uncomfortable. Nevertheless, three years since, Astrid grew to feel secure around her, and Minden loved and cared for her like a little sister.

"Sounds like a great plan. You two have fun and don't commit arson without me." Suddenly, a whole section of the couch's cushion slammed into his face at what felt like 50 kilometres per hour.