When We Meet Again

Chapter 21: Truce

"Oh my Thor, look at the size of that thing!"

"No way that can't be a dinosaur, that's definitely a dragon."

"Aww it would've looked like a cute puppy... no sis, scientists are dramatic, that's why they think it looked like a mutated hippo high on crack."

Tuffnut ran around the entire dinosaur gallery, squealing like a four-year-old, mesmerised by the sizes and construction of bones. The rest of the group just stood around checking out the displays, occasionally laughing at Tuff losing his mind. Ruffnut being the more sensible twin at times spent her time trying to convince her brother against his abnormally wild imaginations.

While the twins darted back and fourth, Astrid noticed that Heather and Fishlegs stuck together all the time, hardly ever approaching her or the others. Eret walked around while reading and taking down notes, sometimes being annoyingly interrupted by Snotlout. Hiccup spent his time reading notes and discussing with Eret while pulling Toothless away from the tempting smell of the real bones.

That also meant that Astrid was alone most of the time. None of her friends noticed this until they moved onto the next theme on display, insects and sea creatures. Tuffnut and his sister started pranking Snotlout while playing with interactive features. At this moment, Heather and Fishlegs slipped into a dim corner with Eret, heightening Astrid's suspicion.

The small group then approached Astrid who was pretending to gaze at a giant squid carcass, secretly watching them from the corner of her eye.

"Hey Astrid, I know you wouldn't be interested but we want to get to the history section of the museum. We won't have enough time to cover both sections today so I suggest we split up. I'll go with Fishlegs and Eret while you'll be with Snotlout, the twins and Hiccup. What do you say?" Heather said as she swung an arm over Astrid's shoulders.

Astrid glanced at Hiccup and Toothless checking out some displays, then at the twins pumping a lever releasing horrible scents into a chamber where Snotlout sat. She groaned in annoyance. "So you're telling me I'm gonna be abandoned with these idiots?" she asked as she pointed at the now choking Snotlout as the twins guffawed.

"No way, Hiccup's here!"

"Heather, seriously. Does the thought occur to you that Hiccup and I broke up? Like it's too awkward to do so," Astrid whispered out of Hiccup's hearing range when she noticed him approaching.

Heather just ignored her and turned her attention to Hiccup instead. "Hiccup, the three of us will be going over to check out the history section while you guys can go on with the rest of the animals and human anatomy displays. I don't think you nor the others would appreciate it as much as science."

"Oh sure, no problem," he replied with a grin.

As they walked off, Heather pulled Astrid to her side and snarled a warning into her ear. "You better be nice to him and finally make peace, or you'll answer to me even though you're my best friend."

Eret and Fishlegs just shared a look of fear for Astrid before waving while they strolled out. "Don't forget, we'll meet at the gift shop at 3pm."

Astrid took a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself as she watched the immature site of Snotlout and the twins, and then at her ex-boyfriend standing a few feet away calmly with Toothless sitting by his side, both owner and dog staring at Snotlout in disbelief as he tried to not throw up.

Hiccup noticed her watching and decided to say something. Clearly he was sick of the simple 'hi's and 'bye's they exchanged. "So looks like we're stuck with babysitting hyperactive oversized children," he said with a nervous chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.

Astrid couldn't help but blush when he chuckled, but at the same time she tried her best to ignore him, giving him a grunt as a reply while turning away to hide her heated face.

Hiccup just sighed at her gesture and stepped away from her while calling the other three to make their move towards the main gallery. Astrid just followed behind, fear slowly engulfing her whenever she thought about the now disabled dork that was once the star of her life. Indeed she wanted to talk to him, but he broke her heart. She couldn't bring herself to forgive him for it, especially when she had trusted him with her heart and life.

As the twins and Snotlout continued messing around with interactive displays, Hiccup spent most of his time staying away from Astrid, believing that she didn't want him anywhere near her. What he didn't know was that she was having a huge debate in her mind over her feelings. Astrid so badly wanted to settle the distance between them, but at the same time she couldn't get herself to trust him.

They finally approached the human anatomy displays, with information from the digestive system to brain games. Tuffnut and Snotlout were only interested with the optical illusions and games, while a small glass box of items caught Astrid's eye.

In the box sat a few worn letters, pendants, coins and a ring, with the topic "Proclamations of Love". The items were all very random but had one thing in common: they symbolised gifts of love. The display definitely made her think about the ring she wore, the ring Hiccup made for her for prom night. She never took it off, never had the strength to do so. Astrid touched the ring for a moment, stroking the cold hard metal with her thumb. Her eyes went back to the title of the box, then back to the ring on her finger again. Hiccup gave it to her to show his love for her.

"Whatever the future holds, whatever happens between us, this ring will forever remind you of my love for you, something I would never give up."

His words remained fresh on her mind. Her eyes then turned to fall on the auburn-haired boy, leaner and tougher than his basketball days, but still the softie he once was. He was staring back at her, confused yet hopeful she would forgive him. Maybe she didn't love him, she had no idea, but he was still the person of her happiest memories, and right now before she figured out her feelings, she had to forgive him.

Astrid approached the young man who pretended he didn't notice her walking towards him. He knew he couldn't act the moment she stood next to him, forcing himself to turn slowly towards her, afraid of receiving a slap or insult. What happened was beyond his imaginations, she hugged him. She was crying. Hiccup was stunned for a moment, before Toothless nudged him to react. He just hugged her back, missing the feeling of having his lady safe in his arms. He loved her and only her, but if he said that now he might chase her away again. Forever.

"I'm sorry."

"And I'm sorry."

Those were the only words exchanged until Astrid calmed down, both agreeing to make peace as they shook hands. Sadly, Hiccup wanted more. And he wasn't getting anything else that day.