Heart of a Dragon (A Hiccup x Astrid HTTYD AU Fanfic)

Chapter 48: Complicated Feelings

Third Person's POV

Hiccup had no idea where he was going and he also left Fishlegs behind. Maybe it was instinctually but he stopped in front of 'THE PIT'.

This was the only way he knew how to cope with pain and all the hurt he was feeling, he entered and went to the number 4 court, where they were holding 1v1 tournament for all. 

"Who's next?" the guy that won the previous game confidently asked, "Me." Hiccup raised his hand, everyone turned their heads towards him. 

"You're just a kid. You know, that the wager is 100 bucks so just ran along and get back to your parents." the guy laughed, Hiccup pulled out five 100 dollar bills, "Is this enough? What do you think?" Hiccup asked and the crowd hyped up, "Easy money." the guy arrogantly declared.

The guy was running his mouth endlessly and he was trash talking even when the game hasn't started yet but Hiccup was dead silent which only happens when he's extremely pissed off and that only means bad things are about to happen to his opponent.

The crowd was into it, seeing a kid destroying a full fledged adult was entertaining for them. 

The game ended with Hiccup being the victor and 500 bucks richer. 

But Hiccup wasn't finished yet, "Let's raise to 1000 bucks so who wants to play?" he declared and it caused an uproar and an influx of people, who wanted the 1000 bucks, started challenging him.

The 1000 bucks challenge lasted for 2 hours, he played against 10 people, and nobody was able to win against him.

The crowd was so surprised to see a kid playing for 2 hours straight with no rest and he never lost on top of it.

"The 'Night Fury' strikes again!" a guy in the crowd exclaimed and the chants of 'Night Fury' started, Hiccup left without word and headed home.

Hiccup's POV

I greeted my dad before going straight to my room, I took a shower before laying down on my bed. Playing all of those games made me so tired that I wasn't able to think about her or anything anymore and I just fell asleep.

- - - - - 

I was out of the door and Fishlegs was already waiting for me, "Hey." I greeted but with not much enthusiasm, "Hi Hiccup." I knew that he wanted to ask me something, "I didn't mean to eavesdrop but did you really break up with Astrid? he asked, "I don't want to talk about it." Hiccup answered.

"I don't mean to push this to you but are you really okay?" he looked at him, "I'm good." I told him with a fake smile, "Good because we have a game tomorrow and it's against East Bridge Institute Knights so we really need your 'A' game." he told me, I just nodded in reply as we approached the bus stop.

Since Me, Fishlegs, and Astrid were the only ones there, nobody else knew what happened so I was trying my best to hold the fake normalness the whole day even though I'm a complete mess inside.  

Hiccup's POV

Today's practice ended, I was wiping the sweat off of my body when I heard, "Hey Hiccup, you ready to go home?" Fishlegs asked, "I'm going somewhere after this, you can head home first." I replied, "Ah, sure. See you tomorrow then." he offered a fist bump which I reciprocated.

Astrid's POV

I didn't go to school today since I cried my eyes out last night. I still think about how I broke down last night, luckily the girls were able to calm me down but when I got home I thought about what happened again and waterworks continued. 

I knew it was because of how I reacted when he told me that we should just date for real. "Why did I react like that? Don't I have any feelings for him?" I asked myself. I saw how hurt he was last night, he did all I asked and I did nothing for him.   

I'm lying on my bed, trying my best not to cry anymore when I heard my mom shout from downstairs, "ASTRID! YOUR FRIENDS ARE HERE!"

I heard knocking on my door, I didn't say anything, "We're coming in whether you like it or not." Heather announced as the door swung open, "You look horrible." Rebecca said, "I know. You don't need to point it out." I told her, 

"Why are you here?" I continued, "Don't make that face. After last night, we knew you need us." Heather said as they walked inside my room, "We brought food." the twins were holding up the boxes of pizza and fried chicken, "I don't have any appetite." I remarked, "It's alright. We'll eat and listen." Tasia said which made me smile.

"What happened between you two? Last time we saw you together you were fine." Amanda questioned, "He broke up with me." I told them, "Why?" Heather asked, "It's over already. Nothing going to change if I tell you guys the truth." I replied and I saw them all turn their heads to me, "What truth?" they asked at all the same time, "Hiccup and I were just pretending to be in a relationship." I stated and I saw their shocked expressions. 

"WHAT?!" Heather exclaimed, "That's some secret." Amanda sat back, "Why?" Rebecca asked, "It's because of Scott. I thought that by doing this he would leave me alone but Hiccup was just getting hurt because of me." I told them.

"Is that why he decided to end your relationship because of what happened yesterday?" Heather asked, "No. It was because..." I could feel myself choking up, "He told me that we should date for real and I... rejected him." I continued, "But he told me he was just kidding that he didn't meant it." I added.

"If he reacted this way, it only means one thing... Hiccup likes you." Amanda said, "And the way he talked about you when we first met, it was really obvious that he has feelings for you which made me believe that you two were really dating." Heather pointed out, "It was obvious since we were kids that he has feelings for you." Rebecca interjected, "Yeah, it was really obvious that's why I didn't question too much that you two finally dated."  Tasia remarked. 

"So what now?" Heather asked, "I don't know."  I grabbed a piece of chicken, "I thought you didn't have any appetite?" Amanda looked at me, "I'm stress eating." I glared at her, "Okay..." Amanda smiled.

"But let me ask you this, do you have feelings for Hiccup, yes or no?" Heather questioned and the others looked at me anticipating my answer,.

"Let me help you put it to perspective, you and Hiccup were extremely close childhood friends but one day he left without a word, then after a couple of years, he returned not the boy you remembered but a man. Did he make your heart flutter? Go!" Tasia explained which surprised me at how well she told the story and it kinda help to navigate what I really felt, "Yeah but..." I answered, "But?" Rebecca asked, "I'm still not sure how I felt for him but there were times I felt my heartbeat a little faster." I responded, "So why did you reject him? Don't tell me you still have feelings for that guy?" Heather looked at me, "Of course not. It's just he's my friend, I don't want to ruin it if ever that we don't work out." I said, "Don't you think that ship already sailed?" Amanda joined, "I know. I don't know what to do anymore." I laid down on my bed. 

- - - - - 

Hiccup's POV

I wasn't lying when I said that I was going somewhere, I was heading to 'THE PIT' because I was still not tired. I wanted to continue playing since it helps me not think about my own problems.

I finished another 10 games in 'THE PIT' once again when I got home I didn't have time to eat dinner as I immediately headed to my room and flopped down face first on my bed since I was extremely exhausted.

I woke up with aches here and there but over all I'm fine physically but emotionally and mentally not so much. 

I prepared all of the gears I'm gonna be bringing for the game before heading to the bathroom to clean myself and prepare for school. 

I was double checking my bag if I forgot anything then I stumbled upon the ninja style headband, it made me think of her.

I was holding it with both of my hands as I stare at it. I was thinking of what to do with it, should I throw it away or give it to someone else or return it to her, I let out  sigh before putting it inside of my bag and I decided to deal with it later since I need to get my head in the game.