HTTYD: You Don't Know the Meaning of "Nice"? (Hiccstrid)

Chapter 35

Astrid's P.O.V.

I stiffened as Hiccup put his arm around me. Dinner had been a disaster, Hiccup trying to get my friends to tell him stories of before I met him. Right now, we were all in the living room, watching a movie that Tony and Leo had been dying to see. Although, I wouldn't say that The Princess Bride is the nail biter they thought it would be. All the same, they loved it, laughing at things that weren't even that funny, and crying when Westley was separated from Buttercup. As if they didn't know they'd get back together! And when Westley died, Leo was bawling all over Tony and vis versa. I finally couldn't take it any more.

"Do you guys not know that the good guys always end up together?! Don't you know it's a fairy tale and not a chick flick?!" I shouted, leaning over them from where they sat on the floor, in front of the TV. I flopped back down next to Hiccup and he put his arm back as I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. Suddenly, I felt arms wrap around me from behind.

"Hey, she's mine," Hiccup said, his voice filled with very convincing jealousy. I sensed Tony stick his tongue out at him and I rolled my eyes.

"Back off, Derek, no one likes you," Leo said and I weaved out of Tony's arms before looking at them calmly.

"I like him," I said in an innocent voice before snuggling into Hiccup's chest as he put his arm around me again. I felt Hiccup gently blow on my forehead and tilted my head up before connecting our lips.

"Ew, people in the room here," Leo said before he and Tony went back to the movie, everyone else watching us as Hiccup caressed my head gently and tried to drive the kiss deeper. 

I hesitated but followed his lead as he massaged my lips, thankful when he didn't try to get entrance. It had to look convincing okay? I held back a yelp as he pulled me onto his lap. Suddenly realizing he was trying something, I pulled away and acted casual as I said that I'd go make some popcorn, thanking Thor when I was able to get away from Hiccup before he pulled me back.

"So, I take it you guys are close?" Tony asks and I turn to look at him before turning back to the heating oil on the stove.

"Yes, we are," I tell him as he stands next to me.

"You seem kinda tense with him, is he abusing you?" he asks.

"No, he's only tried to help me," I say.

"Hey, I know I haven't been the best friend, but I was hoping this trip would change that," he said, "Truth is, I'm worried about you." I look at him in shock as a pop sounds. Two more sound and I grab the bag of kernels.

"Why? I've been through tougher than this," I say with a soft chuckle as I poured more popcorn into the pot.

"Yeah, but Criss said you've been dating for a while. Aren't you comfortable with him yet?"

"Of course I'm comfortable with him. But I'm holding back right now because I don't want to embarrass you guys," I say, patting his cheek.

"Oh, please we've been through way more than watching you make out with someone," he says with a chuckle. I let out a snicker at memories that flew through my mind. Then, he did something I thought he'd never do. He gave me a sideways hug and rested his head on top of mine for a moment. "Take care of yourself," he says before going back into the living room. I finished the popcorn before going back to the living room and putting it on the coffee table. I then walk to the staircase.

"Ast? Where you goin'?" Hiccup asks, making me pause.

"I'm just...gonna get ready for a run," I say.

"You've been running a lot lately. Are you okay?" he asks.

"I'm fine, Derek," I growled, "Just need some fresh air." I don't wait for him to reply before going upstairs and changing to my running clothes. I then grab Toothless, who was laying curled next to Stormfly on my bed, by the scruff of his neck and carry him downstairs. I then drop him in Hiccups lap before going to the door. "And keep your cat out of my room, who knows what he'll do to Stormfly!" I snapped before closing the door and running down the street.

My pony tail whipped my back as my feet hit the pavement, taking me Thor knows where. I just had to get away from them. If I didn't, I don't even know what would happen. At least if they told him about me when I'm out here, I can have a few more minutes of freedom. I took a deep breath as the moon lit my path. I just stayed in it's beam, letting it guide me. When I come to town, I slow to a walk and just enjoy the cool of night. The breeze chilled me to the bone and my body was shaking violently but it pushed me onward. I come to The Dragon Wing and see someone inside. I squinted into the window to see that it was the new employee. I tap on the window and they come over, looking guilty as they let me in.

"What are you doing here Astrid?" she asks.

"I could ask you the same thing, Jess," I tell her as I see her still in her uniform and apron, "It's passed 12."

"I know, I know, I just-- don't wanna go home yet," she says, sitting at the counter.

"Why not?" I ask.

"I just...kinda got in a fight with my dad," she says as she takes a drink of hot chocolate. What ever, I'll pay for it later if she didn't, I thought as I wondered if she paid for it.

"Wanna talk about it?" I ask.

"No, you don't have to listen to this," she says.

"Jess, don't be another me," I blurt out before I can stop myself.

"What's that mean?" she asks.

"I used to stay after hours to keep from going home too. Hated it there. And now, I try to stay after hours to keep from going to my classmates house, which is where I'm staying now," I say before she cuts in.

"Why are you staying there?" she asks.

"Had trouble with my parents and lost myself. He reached out and helped me out but it's not exactly the best life yet," I explain.

"Why do you stay there if you don't like it?" she asks, making me pause.

"I don't know..." I truly didn't.