When We Meet Again

Chapter 33: Assurance

"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."

Time stood still as Hiccup held in his breath, waiting for Astrid to burst. His eyes remained fixated to the ground, not wanting to make contact with her expressive blue eyes as they gradually react with shock, confusion and what looked like disappointment to Hiccup. Astrid didn't say a word, her head slowly turned to look ahead then lowered to gaze at her slightly trembling hands rested on her lap. She just could not understand why she would be the cause of Hiccup and Stoick's falling out. Stoick loved her like his own daughter, the two could never stop discussing about Hiccup's basketball team and their shared interest in scuba diving, which was not ideal in the icy waters around Berk.

Hiccup sighed, his breath as shaky as his mind and feelings. He just got Astrid back, was he going to lose her again? He had enough of waiting for her to reply, standing up quickly as he grabbed his jacket lying on the bed next to him. Just as he was about to reach for the doorknob, Astrid grabbed his wrist. He turned his head when his eyes met hers. Ocean blue on forest green. Sapphire on emerald.

"Wait," Astrid whispered clearly enough for him to catch at the arm's length he stood from her. "Please stay."

Hiccup hesitated for a moment before plucking up the courage to sit back down on her bed, secretly fearing an outburst from her. Astrid never released his hand from her grasp, squeezing it gently in assurance as she sensed growing tension in the young man. "I'm not mad," she started, her voice firm yet calm, hiding her broken heart. "But I'm very... confused with all this. Why didn't you tell me? What did he have against me? Did I do something to hurt him? Did he spend the last few months of his life hating me?"

As her breathing started to grow erratic, it was Hiccup's turn to squeeze her hand in assurance. "Hey, listen to me, dad had nothing against you, and I'm a hundred and one percent sure of that," he explained. "Look, I expressed my concerns about our relationship when I was going to be a world away from you, and he kinda forced me to leave you since long distance relationships rarely work out. He wanted to save both of us from the heart break that could occur. After his death, I felt that it was all on me that we had such a rocky relationship in the period before the... accident. If only I had listened to him, or if only I sorted things out with you, I would have nothing to regret for that night."

Hiccup paused for a moment, giving Astrid a window to voice her opinion or any other questions she might have. After being answered with silence, he continued. "Astrid, the reason I broke up with you is still mainly because I didn't want you to give up your future for me, but the existence of that decision was influenced by my father's suggestion. I'm sorry I never told you this when our problems started, I just didn't want to worry you."

When he finished speaking, Astrid sighed. A lot of information about Hiccup was running through her mind at that moment, particularly his crazy ex, his decision to stay with her and his father. She understood Stoick's concerns, but what hurt her was how he pushed Hiccup to split them up without giving them a chance. There was no point in dwelling over the incident that happened years ago, right at that moment it was important to remember that Stoick's tragic death was a bigger issue to both of them. Hiccup had lost his father, the only parent he knew, and lived to regret their declining relationship, while she had lost a role model and of course, the best mayor Berk ever had. To top it all, they were back on good terms, and Hiccup was finally getting back on track being the man he was meant to be.

"Hiccup, it's alright. I totally understand how your dad felt. He loved you so much, he wanted to protect you from the hurt he endured when your mom disappeared." Astrid rubbed his back gently, convincing him that she wasn't upset. "You should have told me the situation then and there though. We could've fixed the problem together, I could've spoken to your father about it."

"I know, I'm sorry. I was so scared you might've gotten mad with my dad and-"

"Hey, shh, say no more," Astrid placed a hand over his mouth when Hiccup was about to go into a ramble all over again. "It's alright, everything's in the past. I'm just grateful I finally know what had happened back then. Heather knew you had problems with your dad but she still has no idea what went down. Why don't we go talk to her about it as well?"

That was exactly what they did. After half an hour in Heather's room discussing and explaining all the events back from their graduation, the three lifelong best friends finally settled the secrets between them.

Once everything was cleared, Hiccup stayed over at their place a little longer to join the twins who were watching Guardians of the Galaxy for probably their seventh time. Astrid and Heather were in the kitchen at the start of the movie, making smoothies and some popcorn for the other three hooked onto the television. Heather seized that moment just to dig some information out of the poor blonde girl.

"So, are you two officially together again? Like boyfriend and girlfriend?" Heather asked casually, making sure her words weren't heard by the distracted trio snickering at the movie. Astrid was caught off guard, almost dropping the carton of milk she was pouring into the blender. She quickly wiped away the spilt droplets before capping the bottle.

"Uhm, I don't think we're like official yet. We're still taking it slow because I'm a little... cautious. It's also my first relationship since we broke up," Astrid said nervously, avoiding Heather's green eyes. Her best friend just nodded slightly and sighed.

"Look, I totally understand why you wouldn't like to rush things right now, and I encourage you to not do so until you're certain you'll be comfortable with it. Just so you know I'll always be here to support you all the way, girl. And if Hiccup dares to hurt you again, you know he'll be thrown out your bedroom window by me." Heather poured some frozen berries into the blender as she nudged Astrid shoulder with a gentle smirk, one that showed how she meant every single word she said. Astrid smiled back and engulfed the raven-haired girl in a tight hug.

"Thank you, H. You're the bestest person ever. Thank you for always being there for me," Astrid whispered softly to Heather.

"I'm just doing what I know you would do for me as well, I'm always here for you sister."

The two continued chatting as they blended their smoothie, mostly about Dagur's absence as he wanted to get to know Fishlegs better at their apartment. Once they had poured the drink into mugs, they made their way to the coffee table and placed down the snacks and drinks for themselves and the others. As Astrid was about to walk back to the kitchen for the popcorn, her name was called out.

"Astrid?" His voice was soft with a hint of mischief in it. Without a glance, Astrid groaned and rolled her eyes, knowing fully what he wanted.

She walked over to the pantry and pulled out a packet of chips before tossing in across the living room to the young man who had a grin plastered on his face. "That's your third packet today, share it with Tuffnut this time."