Bella Donna

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

"Uuuhhh..." Astrid whimpered as she became lucid. She tried to open her eyes but one had blurred vision while the other eyelid was difficult to open.

"Astrid... oh Thor... you're awake," A familiar voice exclaimed before adding "Don't try to open your eye. There is some swelling. Also, don't try to talk a lot. Your... uhm... your jaw has a fracture,"

"Uhh..." At first, she couldn't understand what this person was saying. It took her a bit to call forth the events that had transpired. She let out an involuntary shiver while feeling discomfort in her torso as well.

"Hivvup?" She slurred, having finally recognized the voice. Her hand left hand twitched upon noticing that there was a needle inserted in her palm. "Wha happe-?"

"I think we should talk about that when you feel better," Hiccup told her. "You've been asleep for more than two days and the morphine the doctor prescribed isn't going to wear off soon."

"Damian?" Astrid managed to croak out.

"He is safe," Hiccup assured as he held up a glass of water that had a bendy straw in it for her to sip from. "He's currently asleep since it's already past 9 PM. You can see him tomorrow morning but for now, you need your rest. The doctor said that you have a severe concussion as well as a broken rib, bruised ribs, and a mandibular fracture."

"And before you ask, that psycho won't hurt you or anyone else ever again." Her boyfriend assured. "He's being... taken care of,"

"M'kay," She mumbled as her eyes drooped from the medicine. Astrid didn't even question what Hiccup had meant by his sentence, not that she didn't want to know but that she already knew the fate of that bastard.

"You pretty," She managed to mumble as Hiccup tucked her in a bit more. He blushed but thought nothing of it as it was probably the meds talking.

"I or one of my staff will be keeping an eye on you through the night," He uttered but Astrid was already sound asleep, be it from meds or pure exhaustion, Hiccup was glad they had found her. He left the room and addressed the twins who had been waiting outside.

"She's had concussions, check in on her every few hours,"

"Righto Bossman," Tuffnut saluted.

"The doctor's on speed dial and..."

"Yes Hiccup we know," Ruffnut uttered before ushering him down the stairs. "Don't you have some cleanup to do boss?"

"Indeed," Hiccup said as he grabbed his dark blue pinstripe suit jacket and black longcoat. He slung the coat over his arm after he'd put on the jacket. "I hope Heather hasn't killed the guy yet. I told her to keep him alive for me,"

"I like her," Tuffnut said. "The copper, not your lady friend," He quickly elaborated. "Think she'd be a good fit?"

"I always liked her," Ruffnut piped up "Even with her always throwing me in the drunk tank,"

"You got to lay off the bar brawls, sis," Her brother admonished.

"Hey, you start them!" Ruffnut retorted. "I just finish them,"

Hiccup just shook his head and left the bickering twins. Fishlegs was already waiting by the car for him. When Hiccup approached he handed him three files.

"Thought you might want to see these," his friend said before walking to the driver's side.

Hiccup's car made its way through city traffic relatively unnoticed. Fishlegs kept driving as Hiccup looked over the thick folders he had been handed in the back. Soon the city lights and sounds were behind them as a more rural area took over. Gone were the towering skyscrapers and suburban homes. Now farmland bathed in the moon's glow was the passing scenery. Hiccup had placed the files next to him and had poured himself a tumbler of whiskey.