Accidental Fiancé

10: Retail Therapy

Ten: Retail Therapy

Going out shopping with Astrid was an interesting experience for she was treated almost like royalty-though she was gracious and went out of her way to try to be treated like a normal person. Her car and driver-a blonde woman who introduced herself with the name 'Camicazi'-swept through the busy streets and round to the service entrance of Hendrikson's, the most exclusive department store in the Archipelago, before disgorging the star and her supposed fiancé and gliding off to park somewhere discreet. Hiccup glanced around as she entered the back of the store and Astrid smiled and spoke to the security guard by name.

"Morning, Sven," she smiled. "How's the family?"

"They're good, Miss Astrid-and better for seeing you score that thirty yard screamer against Lithuania!" She smiled.

"Football is a team game," she smiled. "The girls all put in a great performance and we're one win from the European Championships!" The man grinned, his long blond beard moving as he talked.

"You know, if you make it, I may take my family on holiday to England for that!" he admitted and then his piercing blue eyes slid to the self-conscious auburn-haired shape at her side. "And this must be the man who captured your heart." He saluted. "You look after her, Mr Haddock. Many of us think of Astrid as family."

"It's Hiccup...Sven," he said quietly. "And I'm very fond of Astrid myself." There was a pause-and then Sven lunged forward and slapped him hard on the shoulder.

"I think I may like you, Hiccup," he said cheerily and ushered them to the service elevator. "Fashion floor, Miss Astrid?"

"Menswear," she admitted. "I want to make sure Hiccup doesn't feel too out of place." Sven winked and pressed the button.

"That'll be third floor," he said and backed away as the doors closed.

On the Menswear floor, the assistants knew who she was and Hiccup found himself measured and eyed up in a very unsettling way, treated with respect but no thought for his personal space or privacy. Thankfully, neither of them wanted him to roll his sleeves up or undress, but once they had his measurements, they smirked and ushered him to join Astrid in a neat little salon room, where they were served coffee as they sat on a small elegant sofa. To one side was a clothes rail and the door out and to the other, there was a curtain into the changing area.

"They'll bring you clothes in suitable styles, sizes and colours and you choose what you need..." Astrid said, sipping her coffee and checking her Twitter feed. Ashamed, he stared at his cup.

"Um...I just need some fresh underwear," he mumbled. "I mean, I can't afford this store on my wage anyway..." She sighed and gave a smile, resting her coffee on the table.

"Hiccup-as my fiancé, you need to be dressed for the part so I'm paying," she explained and then rested a hand lightly on his. "Just as long as we agree on the clothes, okay?" He nodded and hazarded a look up, emerald eyes wary.

"That's good because I just checked...and well, it looks like someone has stolen pretty much everything from my bank account," he admitted. "But I will pay you back..."

"No, you won't!" she told him firmly.

"Wow, way to bolster my self-confidence," he mumbled. "Now I'm your arm candy!" She leaned close, the smile dropping from her face and he steeled himself for a tongue-lashing...as he always got when he opened his mouth and sassed Bella. Thor, what was he thinking...?

"Hiccup-please let me foot the bill for the costs incurred by this deception I insisted on," she told him in a low voice. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable about any money spent...but I don't want you to look out of place and feel obvious because of that. Thor, the gossip columns and the tabloids can be really hurtful if you wear the wrong thing!" She paused and a little note of encouragement entered her voice. "And maybe...you can show Bella that you've moved on and she'll leave you alone?"