Accidental Fiancé

17: Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Seventeen: Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Sunday morning had Hiccup shocked as Astrid cooked them a fried breakfast, cheerful and competent and chatting over a big mug of coffee which she had managed to brew without destroying the machine. Of course, the bacon was rather crispy around the edges, the egg was slightly bouncy and the sausage was a little charred but Hiccup was happy to eat anything that wasn't actually on fire because it was a kind gesture.

Surprisingly, Heather didn't come round for breakfast until Astrid informed him that she and Dagur were coming round and they would all be going out to lunch.

"Are you sure...I mean I don't want to come between you and your friends..." he asked her in a concerned tone. She smiled.

"They're your friends...and I think Dagur is dying to talk to you," she admitted. "He doesn't really warm to people that easily. But you...he really seems to have clicked."

Because we're both broken...I just won't admit it, Hiccup thought silently.

"You okay?" she asked him softly and he looked up-and then nodded.

"I oughtta call Dad," he said. "I mean I haven't heard from him or any of the others since I left Berk." He paused and felt a twinge of hurt tighten his chest. In truth, he had been disappointed that no one had called him-not even Fishlegs, who was supposed to be his best friend. He rose abruptly and headed into his room, taking his phone with him. Staring after him, Astrid felt her heart sink. Usually-and certainly formerly, Hiccup was an open book but there were moments now when she had no clue what was going on in his head.

Damn you, Bella, she thought savagely as she turned back to the washing up.

In his room, the auburn-haired man stared at the phone for a long time before unlocking it and scrolling down his depressingly small contacts list, then dialling the familiar number.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Dad-it's me. Your son. Still alive here, just in case you cared." His voice was more bitter than he had intended and he knew it wasn't the best opening gambit. Stoick was a gruff man and very busy...maybe he just didn't have the time to bother with a son who should be old enough to look after himself...

"SON! Odin, it's good to hear your voice. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to call. I mean, you warned us against calling you when you were with Bella and..."

All his anxieties melted away and he sighed.

"Sorry, Dad. I was just feeling a bit...lonely, you know?" he apologised but Stoick chuckled.

"Aren't you spending all the time with that lass of yours?" he asked and Hiccup sighed.

"She has training and other commitments," he admitted. "But Gary has allowed me to work remotely so I'm still able to refine the wing designs I was working on..."

"No fabulous parties?" the Mayor asked and his mind flew back to the other HABS, sneering at him and drinking and doing drugs instead of supporting the players.

"Not really a party guy," he admitted.

"I saw the interview with that old lady in Archi," the Mayor continued conversationally. "Glad you're still true to the man you were brought up to be. Made me proud..."

"I am always proud of you, Dad," he admitted, a smile curling his lips. "I mean-you're a great and caring person who always puts Berk ahead of everything..."

"Except my son," Stock assured him. "So when am I seeing you and that lass?" Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Hiccup sighed.

"Probably not for a while," he admitted. "Astrid has a lot of matches coming up in quick succession and I ought to be around. I mean, I am her fiancé..."