Bella Donna

Chapter 14

AN: Trigger warning: Please note that the 2nd half of this chapter will contain violence.

Chapter 14

"Hiccup pacing like a maniac isn't gonna help," Ruffnut said as she walked into his study.

"Yeah man, you're gonna wear a hole in the floor." Tuffnut chimed in.

"How can I sleep when Astrid is in the hands of some lunatic?!" Hiccup uttered.

"Your girl ain't no damsel in distress though," Ruffnut countered. "Now that I saw her face again I remember her from that one night in the drunk tank a couple of years ago. I heard she traumatized some wannabe gangster teens with her umbrella. I was very impressed,"

"And you know it takes a lot to impress my sis over here," Tuffnut stated.

"Your ladyfriend got a good head on her shoulder," Ruffnut muttered. "I'd be more scared for the other guy,"

"I know, Astrid is one in a million," Hiccup confessed. "I'm also worried if this is some scheme of Grimmel,"

"Viggo and Ryker are following that lead and Snotlout is greasing some wheels to get the CCTV footage from the area," Tuffnut stated. "But seriously man. It's 2 AM and you need your sleep. You ain't any good to us or Astrid being sleep deprived tomorrow.... Well today,"

Hiccup sighed before flopping down on the leatherback couch. He then proceeded to pour about three fingers of whiskey from the crystal tumbler on the mahogany coffee table. "Or drink yourself into oblivion," Ruffnut added as she watched her boss take a large swig.

When Hiccup woke up his mouth felt as dry as the Sahara, his eyes were heavy and his neck hurt from sleeping at a wrong angle. He was also sporting a massive headache. A tumbler of melted ice had been haphazardly placed on the table and he realized that he had fallen asleep on the couch in his office. With a groan, he stood up while remembering the night before. He had foolishly drank himself into a stupor due to worry. The twins had left shortly after their talk, shooting disapproving gazes at him. Now that was a new one, the twins actually disapproving of something. He knew just how crazy they could be. The sun streaming into his office caused Hiccup to squint before checking the time on the clock sitting on one of his bookcases. It was only 7:28 AM.

He made his way downstairs to the kitchen, intending to find either some coffee or an aspirin or both. He, however, stopped dead in his tracks as he saw Heather sitting at the kitchen island nursing her own cup, steam wafting from it.

"I hope you don't mind. I borrowed some tea," She uttered upon seeing Hiccup.

"You can help yourself to anything in the house," Hiccup stated before making a beeline for the coffee machine.

"I don't have to ask if you had a rough night," she noted. Hiccup turned and then he noticed the bags under her eyes. It looked like Heather couldn't sleep either.

"How's Damian?" He asked.

"Sad... scared... confused," Heather replied. "He doesn't understand what exactly happened, just that someone hurt his mom,"

"We'll get Astrid back," Hiccup was solemn. "We have to,"

"I want to shoot the bastard that took her in the groin," Heather growled lowly and Hiccup couldn't blame her. She gave Hiccup a look and some silent understanding passed between them.

It was only hours later when Hiccup received some news from his men. He had Fishlegs clear his schedule and he was playing with Damian, trying to keep both his and the kid's mind off of the matter. Heather had said that she would hit the streets as well. She knew some people that might be more receptive if a woman came knocking.