Light in the Shadows

Chapter 2 (SL-CA-10)

Hiccup stood in front of the door of Astrid's house awkwardly as Astrid strode up to the door, unlocking it. She walked in casually while he just stayed there like an idiot. It was a few seconds before Astrid called, "Well, are you going to come in or what?"

Hiccup hesitantly walked into the house, and it was gigantic compared to his house. Well, actually, the house that he gets kicked out of every few days for doing absolutely nothing at all. Astrid motioned for him to follow her. "My parents aren't in the house right now. Come on,"

He reluctantly followed her through the mansion. She sauntered over to the kitchen and strode over to the fridge, where she tossed a pack of ice to Hiccup as he fumbled to catch it. "Here. You can use that on your cheek," Wow. Good to know. Astrid actually has a heart, unlike some people I know, Hiccup thought while nodding at her silently.

They just stood there in awkward silence until Astrid broke it. "So, I said I would give you a meal, didn't I?"

Hiccup nodded slowly again.

"Well, I don't know how to cook, so I always order takeout, so I guess that's what I'm getting us,"

He just shrugged, indicating that he didn't care.

She fished her phone out of her pocket and dialed a number. "Hello, hope you're having a nice day... Yes, I'm doing good, thank you.... I would like to order a pepperoni pizza, please..... Yes, pepperoni....." She continued talking for a while before putting her phone down on the counter.

"I ordered a pepperoni pizza. Hope that's okay with you,"

Hiccup didn't answer, as he was struck by a horrible thought. Toothless! Hiccup thought urgently before he sprinted over to where he thought the door was before realising that he didn't know how to open the door. He fiddled with the door for a bit before Astrid found him. "You want to go outside?" She asked, confused.

He nodded furiously. Astrid unlocked the door easily while Hiccup dashed outside, running over to his house to see Toothless prowling around, thankfully not hurt. Astrid tried following him, but soon got left behind. Panting from the long run, Hiccup stumbled over and picked Toothless up as the kitten snuggled up against him. Relieved that Toothless wasn't hurt, he jogged back to Nadder Street, where Astrid lived. He nearly crashed into Astrid half-way. When she saw the kitten, she gasped. It was the little black kitten from before! She reached out, wanting to pet him, but he jumped out of Hiccup's arms and hissed at her.

Hiccup crouched down and put his hand on the little kitten's head, rubbing it softly. The kitten leaned into his touch and purred. Hiccup smiled at the feline before turning his attention back to Astrid. He reached for her hand, wanting to help her befriend Toothless, but she jerked it back. There was no way that she was letting the mute touch her! It was bad enough that she was partnered with him, but touching him? No way! Hiccup's gaze turned to the ground shamefully. Astrid had to admit, she did feel a little sorry, but she had a reputation to protect.

He picked the little black feline up again as he walked back to Astrid's house.

Once they got back to her house, Astrid said, "Look, Hiccup, I didn't mean to-" She was cut off by Hiccup shaking his head at her. I get it, Astrid. You don't want to talk to or touch the mute nerd that you were forced to work with, he thought.

She sighed and said, "You can go in. I need to get our pizza. I should be back in a few minutes. Make yourself comfortable."

She unlocked the door for him and walked off. Hiccup entered and sunk down on the nearest wall, setting Toothless down. Toothless explored the house a bit before being jump-scared by Stormfly sniffing him. He hissed at her and stalked off. He continued exploring before nearly running straight into Luna. However, this time, he didn't hiss and run off. Instead, he meowed curiously before walking back to Hiccup, where he jumped into his lap and curled up, finally getting some rest. Hiccup rubbed Toothless' head, fondling his ears until Astrid came back.