Accidental Fiancé

15: For the camera

Fifteen: For the Camera

"Okay, so the plan is that we do the interview for ARCHIPELAGO ZAP Magazine," Heather read from her phone, her green eyes scanning the details. "There will be some photos of you two together and then a joint interview. The reporter is Gudrun Fenne, a nice sympathetic type. She's a bit gushy and apparently begged for the interview. Photographer is Ulric Jonsson, who's competent and discreet. Nothing controversial required-just standard stuff."

"Which is?" Hiccup asked.

"How long you've known each other, how you got together, how happy you are together, what your future plans are-wedding bells, children etc," Heather reeled off professionally.

"And what should I say?" Hiccup asked. "I mean, I can't exactly tell the truth...that Astrid was my best friend at High School, that she ran off without a word just before graduation, that she didn't even remember I existed until we bumped into each other at the airport and went on a date where some person misinterpreted what went on and voila-fake engagement!"

"No...that would certainly be interesting but may not achieve the desired effect," Astrid said, smiling. Knowing Hiccup as she did meant she was certain that he would never deliberately harm her or her career like that...and she found his sarcastic sense of humour a welcome reminder of simpler times at school. Heather, though was not amused.

"If you say any of that, I really will have Dagur throw you through the window!" she growled.

"No you won't," Astrid told her sharply. "Just think of the cost of the window repair!"

"Is no one worried about the cost of the Hiccup repair?" he sassed back and Astrid chuckled.

"You're safe, Sasscup," she told him as his eyebrows raised.

"Sasscup? Where the Thor did that come from?" he asked her, though his lips were twitching with amusement.

"From close observation of your innate sassiness, Mr Haddock," she said in a very proper voice.

"Oh Thor," he muttered. "That's gonna stick, isn't it?"

"Like yakshit to a stick," Astrid grinned. Heather rolled her eyes.

"You've been talking to Cami again, haven't you?" she groaned. "I swear, that woman has the filthiest mouth this side of Meathead!"

"Everything's this side of Meathead," Astrid reminded her and the raven-haired woman rolled her eyes again.

"So no sass, no swearing and just a nice wholesome couple..." she tried once more. "And please, get your story straight..."

"Wouldn't being honest be better?" Hiccup asked quietly. "I mean saying we were good friends in school, lost touch and bumped into each other in the airport..."

"Actually, I bumped into you," Astrid admitted with a smile. "You were just quietly minding your own business..."

"And I think I called you vain and accused you of not paying attention," he said with a smile.

"And then you asked me out to catch up and...well, it all happened really fast," Astrid grinned.

"There-I knew you could do it," Heather said with relief. "Keep it up!" She paused and checked her watch. "Time to go. Cami will be waiting with the car."

Sitting nervously in the back next to Astrid, Hiccup ran his hand through his hair. The prospect of talking to the reporter was freaking him out, worried that it would reveal to Bella where he was-as if she hadn't already guessed-and would just give her ammunition to attack him and Astrid. Then a gentle hand on his brought him back to the present and he saw Astrid smiling at him.