Finding You ~Book 2 of Unexpected~

Chapter 8 Childhood Ends in 48 Hours

A S T R I D

I was walking back to the others at the cave.

Today was a really fun day with me and Hiccup, and the little triplets. We almost got caught by Queen Elinor though. I was in the wine cellar, when Queen Elinor came in. Good thing she didn't see us.

I arrived at the cave where the others sat.

"Hey where have you been?" Snotlout smirks.

"Maybe with a certain someone?" Fishlegs says.

"Hush up guys, it's all part of the plan" I said sitting down as they huddled in a circle around a campfire.

"It's going smoothly I presume?"

"Yes, very smooth. Just worried about the time though. The wedding is 5 days away, will I be able to do this?" I ask.

"You can do it. I mean, you're Astrid Hofferson. We all know Hiccup can't resist Astrid Hofferson" Ruffnut wiggled her eyebrows at me.

"Yeah, especially when she looks like that!" Tuffnut says gesturing at me.

"Why? What's wrong with it?" I ask looking down at my dress.

"You finally look like a lady" Snotlout replies. I walked over to him and grabbed his arm, pulled it backwards causing him to tumble backwards to the ground.

"But certainly not acting like one" He mumbled groaning.

"Anyone like to add anything else?" I ask the others and they rapidly shook their heads.

"Good" I smirked.

"Goodnight" I said before turning away from them to get a good night's sleep.

~•~•~•~

*4 days later*

It's been 4 days and I'm making a lot of progress. Hiccup always hangs out with me and I think he likes me too. He shows gentle signs of care and sweetness. I know that I shouldn't be in a relationship with engaged people, but this one has to be an exception.

Hiccup sometimes holds my hand or places his arm around my shoulder. He also smiles at me with this smile he does when we were in love.

I think this is gonna turn out alright.

We were now in the forest, me teaching him how to use an axe and him teaching me how to use a bow.

Let me tell you this, we both suck at it.

"Hiccup! That's not how you hold an axe" I giggled as I looked at Hiccup who was holding the axe with both his hands.

I walked up to him and took the axe away from him. I told him to put out his arm like he's about to shake hands with someone, and placed the axe properly in his grip.

"There" I smiled.

"Alright. What now?" He asks.

"Throw it to that tree there" I said pointing at a tree in front of him. He then was able to successfully hit the tree.

"Nice job Haddock" I said.

"Your turn" He says smiling wide as he gave me a bow and arrow.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" I ask. He chuckles before coming up behind me. He circles his arms from behind to help me position the arrow and hold the bow properly. He helped me pull the arrow back against the string of the bow.

The whole time, my heart was pounding. I've never been this close to Hiccup ever since he was kidnapped.

"Alright, now just steady your arm and target the tree" He whispers before pointing to a tree beside the tree that he threw an axe at.

"If you're ready just release" He says holding my arms with his gentle hands.

I breathed in and out and released the arrow.

The arrow hit the tree and I turned and smiled wide.

"Good job! Looks like you know how to use one more weapon" He chuckles. I jumped up and down before hugging him tightly.

I widened my eyes and awkwardly pulled back clearing my throat.

"I-uh thank-" I was cut off by Hiccup pulling me back against him again, bringing me into a warm and gentle hug. I widened my eyes and hesitantly hugged him back.

He hugged me tighter.

"Ariel, I don't think I wanna marry Merida" He whispers.

"Why not?" I ask.

"I'm not ready" He replies pulling away looking at me worriedly.

"Then tell her, if she loves you, she will understand" I reply.

"You don't think I tried to tell her that? She just insists because she said it would be good of we got married early. And I don't think it's good at all. It's just going to end my childhood early" He replies.

"Childhood?" I ask.

"You know boys my age aren't that mature" He says.

"True" I replied chuckling softly.

"What am I going to do?" He asks groaning.

"I don't know Hiccup. All I know is that it isn't gonna be a true and whole-hearted marriage if not both of the lovers are ready for it" I replied.

He sighs.

"I, Hiccup Haddock III, is getting married in 2 days. 48 hours, with someone who I don't think I even wanna marry" He says.

"You don't want to marry Merida?" I ask him.

"No, because I don't love her"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<•>

;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)

So many winks.

Lol

So, that's it for this chapter guys!

How do you feel right now? ;)

💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋👏