When We Meet Again

Chapter 32: Freedom

Astrid, Heather, Snotlout and Fishlegs sat silently at the lobby of the police station, waiting for Hiccup to be done with his interview with an officer at an interrogation room. On his way there he couldn't help but worry thinking it was a set up and would eventually arrest him if his ex had lied. Thankfully, Astrid tried her best to calm him down and relax. She knew he had nothing to fear.

The clock on the wall ticked by as the group remained silent, the only other sound they heard coming from the front desk where an officer sat typing away. The longer Hiccup was absent, the more Astrid worried about his emotional state. He had endured enough in one day.

Suddenly, Heather nudged her shoulder, making her look up curiously. Her best friend had a smirk on her place, which made her aware of the conversation that was about to happen.

"Don't think for a moment that I totally didn't notice you and Hiccup together again," Heather grinned as she leaned closer to Astrid. Her statement made the other two boys look up in shock, especially Snotlout.

"Are you kidding me? Astrid, I thought we had a chance!"

Fishlegs scowled at his words. "Really? I believe you're the very last person to ever be with someone like Astrid or Heather. They're way out of your league. Go try Ruffnut or something," he said in a tone that definitely struck Snotlout's nerves. He just grumbled and crossed his arms like a spoilt child wanting a toy. "Oh Astrid, I'm so happy for you two!! I'm sure Hiccup must be the happiest man on Earth right now."

Astrid couldn't help but smile as a blush crept onto her face. "W-well maybe not right now exactly, but yeah I hope so too."

"Don't hope because I know, he never stopped thinking about you. Wondering how do I know? Well I was and still am his roommate, and he talks in his sleep," Fishlegs giggled a little as he recalled the incidents he never told Hiccup about. "Believe me, he's always talking about you, or his father or Toothless."

Astrid felt flustered knowing Hiccup had never stopped thinking of her, but her heart broke as she remembered about his father. Stoick was the greatest man she had ever met.

"Yeah, it's actually really sad to think about it."

Fishlegs and Heather both nodded, their heads hanging low. "Stoick was the best mayor ever, and it is still a tremendous loss to Hiccup. For some reason he seems to have a grudge against himself about his death though," he added, earning the attention of both girls. "He seems to sort of blame himself for his death."

Astrid's eyes widened in shock when she heard Fishlegs. Heather, however, had an idea why. "They were fighting," she said softly.

That caught the attention of all three of them, including Snotlout. "You have got to be joking, he and Stoick had the greatest relationship I've ever seen," Astrid said with disbelief filled in her voice.

Heather just looked at each of them for a moment before speaking again. "I don't know what happened, but they weren't on great terms until his death, and I'm sure Hiccup never stopped blaming himself for not spending quality time with his dad like they used to prior to that."

Silence fell over them again as if to respect Stoick and also think about Hiccup. Astrid felt the worst, what could possibly drive Hiccup so furious that he would tear himself away from his protective and loving father?

Just then, Hiccup walked out of a room, a small smile on his face and he strode to his friends waiting for him. Astrid stood up to greet him, but was instead met with a tight hug. "I did it," he whispered to her. "I finally got her off me. I'm finally free of her abuse. I finally saved Toothless."

Astrid felt tears well up in her eyes as Hiccup spoke and Toothless whined in delight. She couldn't imagine the pain they had gone through, but she was glad he had the strength to stand up against his nightmare. She just stroked his back gently, giving him all the assurance he needed. "You did it, Hiccup. You're so strong."

He broke their hug, still smiling, and turned to hug Fishlegs who was also on the verge of tears. "Thank you for being by my side since the beginning, my friend."

"Well that's what friends do," Fishlegs said as Snotlout joined their hug. Toothless barked happily, knowing he had never seen his master so relieved before.

As they walked out of the station, they made their way to a nearby cafe for a small dinner where they met Eret, Dagur and the twins, all delighted to see Hiccup in such joy. Dagur couldn't help but snicker with his sister as he noticed Hiccup's blooming relationship with Astrid again. "Aw, it still looks like they're high school sweethearts."

"Oh come on, they are still high school sweethearts!" Heather laughed, making the two blush a deep shade of red.

It was all fun and games, everyone glad to know Hiccup will finally have a proper recovery from his past, with the love of his life by his side. He followed Astrid and the twins to their apartment as his friends went back to their own. Astrid has begged him to return with them but he didn't know why.

Once they arrived, the two and Toothless and Stormfly went into Astrid's bedroom, where they sat on her bed in silence for a moment. Then, Hiccup spoke. "So, you wanted me here so badly, why?"

Astrid glanced at him from the corner of her eye before she sighed and spoke. "Hiccup, I want to know what happened that made you... blame yourself for your father's accident. You know someone else did it, and that a linked accident affected you as well, why are you blaming yourself?"

Hiccup's heart skipped a beat. He had been afraid of this moment for years when someone would ask him about who he was after his father's murder. He remained silent, his eyes riveted to the grey carpet of Astrid's room. The blonde girl didn't push him, she remained patient but determined to finally know the truth. "I had problems with my dad, we barely talked for a long time, I regret being so cold," he said softly, a whimper escaping his throat.

"Hiccup, what happened? You and your dad had the best relationship ever how could you have such a huge fight with him? Why didn't you tell me?" Astrid felt horrible for bombarding him with questions, but she needed to know what exactly happened. She was concerned.

Hiccup closed his eyes, recalling the day he had a huge fight with his dad like as if it was at the back of his mind. He sighed, there was no way he could avoid this any longer. "It was about you, Astrid. He told me to break up with you but I didn't listen, so partially I broke up with you because I knew he would've wanted me to do so."