Accidental Fiancé

33: Awkward Questions

Thirty Three: Awkward Questions

Astrid looked across a sea of faces, eyes all focussed on her and felt a shiver of trepidation. Usually, when she held a press conference, she knew the outcomes, she was in control of the questions and what they got to know...but this time, she was at the mercy of what they wanted to ask. Heather had organised the conference at Hiccup's request and he had been in charge of everything.

And she had let him.

Give him the power.

And she had to admit, it felt uncomfortable, being at the mercy of someone else's whims and desires, not really having a say in what happened to her, what course they would take. And though she thought she had been giving Hiccup a say, he hadn't really had one...not in anything that was actually important. He had been a passenger in her life and she had been thoughtless more than once with his heart and his feelings. And though he had forgiven her and given her another chance, she was still wracked by guilt.

"Thank you for coming," she said, feeling the tremor in her hands. "I know it has been a full seven days since everything happened...but I am sure you understand that my priority had to be Hiccup and supporting him...being with him."

There were nods and a movement in the corner of her eye as he limped forward. Originally, he had planned to sit at the back and watch but as he saw Astrid so anxious, he hadn't been able to hang back. He was on crutches and winced as he moved but he had stubbornly signed his own discharge so he could be with his (still secret) wife. Pale, the bruise still dark on his forehead but his emerald eyes sparkling with concern for Astrid, Hiccup manoeuvred himself to sit at her side.

"And I am so very grateful she came for me," he added softly.

"How are you?" one of the reporters called. He managed a small smile.

"I'll live...but I think my dancing days are over," he said lightly. "I mean sure, I was stabbed twice, concussed and smashed my ankle but I've had worse days. Certified nerd. I have at least almost died of embarrassment three times." There was a ripple of applause as the reporters responded to his courage and Astrid leaned close.

"You didn't have to be here," she murmured. "I could have coped on my own."

"Being yours means you shouldn't have to," he reminded her gently and his hand brushed hers. A tiny smile lifted her lips.

"As you can see, we're back together," she said without preamble. All eyes turned back to the young man and he nodded.

"Yup," he confirmed. "I mean, as a friend once said to me, anyone who has a friend who will run halfway across the Archipelago when they could be in trouble definitely has the best friend imaginable! And that is just what Astrid did for me. She showed me that she cared, that I was important and that she was willing to drop everything to come and talk things out."

"So...?"

"I asked her to marry me after she had punched Bella out," he admitted as every single reporter gaped. "I mean, if you don't feel like proposing then, when are you going to?" Another laugh rippled through the room.

"And I was hardly likely to turn him down when he had saved my life," Astrid reminded them. "He stepped between me and Bella when she was armed. He was a complete hero."

"So why did you leave?" the Berk Viking reporter asked.

"It was my fault," Astrid announced clearly. Every eye fell on her. Everyone focussed on her and her cheeks heated under the close-and not very sympathetic-scrutiny. "I ignored Hiccup and what was most important to him. I was focussed on my career and business interests and was careless in ensuring that his needs were all met. And though we had to deal with some Bella issues, it all seemed fine."