Accidental Fiancé

19: Scandal

Nineteen: Scandal

"GAY?" Hiccup repeated, staring at the front page of the 'North Star' Daily newspaper. It was the worst type of tabloid, with stories eschewed by more serious journalists splashed all over the front page, including the infamous 'Aliens Ate my Yak' hoax and any number of Celebrity Scandal pieces-always accompanied by large full colour pictures.

"Well, that's the clear implication," Heather pointed out.

The front page had two pictures, both of which featured Hiccup...one of him and Dagur on the rowing boat, halfway through helping him sit upright. Dagur had his hands on Hiccup's shoulder and arm and both men were smiling in a very genuine way while the second picture was of Astrid kissing Hiccup. The headline was: WHICH TO CHOOSE? with the line beneath reading: Celebrity Fiancé Beds Soccer Star And Ex-Soldier In Bed Swap Romp.

"But I have only ever kissed Astrid and Dagur hugs everyone!" he protested wildly. "Astrid-I swear I haven't done anything and I'm not into guys and I haven't even met Dagur without you being there and..."

"It's okay, Hiccup," Astrid said quickly, seeing his panic. "We don't believe you're gay or two-timing..."

"And frankly the Bed Swap Romp had Dagur falling off his chair laughing..." Heather said grumpily. "He says you're cute but not his type."

"And how can they claim there was some bed-swap romp when it never happened?" Astrid growled. "Isn't there a law against it?"

"Defamation," Heather told her. "I've already called our lawyer, Throk Kriger, to serve papers against North Star and its parent company, Archipelago Print Inc. The allegations against you and your reputation are scandalous."

"Um...and my reputation?" Hiccup asked, raising his hand. Heather cast him a cool look that eloquently asked the question: what reputation?

"It's both our reputations," Astrid insisted, frowning at her friend. She poured Hiccup a cup of black coffee which he unwisely swallowed before realising Astrid had made it. He choked and his eyes watered.

"How in Thor's name did you manage to ruin coffee?" he gasped, trying to wipe his mouth on his sleeve. She stared at him and took a sip of hers.

"It's okay," she said defensively. "I mean, it's not as good as yours...I wasn't sure which coffee to use so...I put a bit of all of them in..."

"You put twelve capsules in the machine? Gods, no wonder this tastes like engine oil! It's a wonder it doesn't have lethal caffeine levels..." he said urgently, pouring the coffee away and then pouring the jug down the sink. Panicking, his hand resting on his chest, he could almost convince himself that his heart was ready to explode...but he forced himself to calm down. He had only had a sip...which admittedly probably contained as much caffeine as a normal mug of coffee. Stealing a glance at Astrid, who was looking downcast at her disaster at the coffee, he popped a new capsule into the machine and made some fresh coffee as Heather shook her head.

"We're gonna need a press conference and fast," Heather decided.

"Wouldn't it be better to leave it in the hands of the lawyers?" Astrid asked, accepting the new cup of coffee. She sighed in relief. "Much better..." Heather sipped her new cup and nodded gratefully.

"If you ever want a career as a Barista, you've got it," she said briskly. "It will take days. We need a swift rebuttal and then leave the lawyers to get a retraction and damages. I'll arrange it for this morning. I'll square it with the club."

"That's gonna go down well," Astrid grumbled.

"Best clothes-you need to look smart and sober...though that really won't work with Dagur," Heather grumbled. "He won't wear anything except the clothes he normally wears."