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#started from the bottom now we're here
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By Her Bedside → By Her Side
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guinevereslancelot · 8 months
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seeleybooth · 9 months
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Carly & Freddie + Kisses (2007-2021-)
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jacnaylor · 2 months
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wanna-be-bold · 29 days
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From "I'm not trying to be romantic" to "I love you"
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pinacoladamatata · 9 months
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it has come to my attention that many of the new bg3 fans have no idea about the "everyone is halsin" stream
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khaoray · 1 year
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Ultimate Ship Challenge ✳ 1/5 Heartwarming Scenes
↳ You don't need a king. Any knight can make another knight. I'll prove it.
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fearwakes · 11 months
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Succession 2.04 / 4.08
Greg! When you're done flirting, can you latte me, please?
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x-exo-l · 2 years
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how it started vs. how it ended.
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karihighman · 1 year
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how it started → how it’s going
chenford • the rookie
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scarlets-widow · 3 months
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MY FANDOM IS ON THE COME UP.
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#Tim "It's Now Part Of My Job Description" Bradford
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tiistirtipii · 1 year
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I just KNOW Akk and Ayan are gonna be that insufferable couple that forget everybody else exists when they start talking to each other. Kan and Thua are literally performing and they’re like “Without you, I have no idea how I'd get through all that.” boy shut up and listen to Thua sing.
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eleanorenchanted · 1 month
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katergator84 · 10 months
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Walls We Build
One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | Eleven | Twelve | Thirteen | Fourteen | Fifteen | Sixteen | Seventeen | Eighteen | Nineteen | Twenty | Twenty One | Twenty Two | Twenty Three | Twenty Four
Oh man... here we go guys. Look at me, following through on posting Walls! It's been *checks stats* over a year since I posted last on this, but you know, at least it's not two. *sweats*
Okay so, here's the deal though... I love this story with all my heart and it deserves to have its ending. I just don't get enough time to write like I want to, and I hate having this story sitting out here sans conclusion. So there will be one more chapter after this, and Walls will finally be completed! I'm sad but also really happy, because it truly feels like a huge accomplishment to finish a multi-chapter story (that was supposed to only be three chapters lol).
It's thanks to all of you though keeping me going. I can't tell you how much I appreciated and enjoyed your lovely amazing comments over the years and how much each and every one meant to me. More than the world. Thank you, so so much. See I'm doing the gushing now because I'll probably cry when I post 25. So, here we go.
--------------------------
Astrid stared at the test in her hands, the implication causing a torrent of thoughts to whirl around her brain.
“You almost ready, Astrid? I don't want to rush you, but I'm just getting a little nervous here-” Hiccup peeked into the bathroom. “Astrid? What--”
She turned and looked at him like a deer in the headlights. Hiccup's gaze dropped to her hands. It took him a second to process what it was, and then he met her wide-eyed stare with alarm. “Is that--”
“Not mine,” she said quickly, which barely calmed his panic.
Hiccup furrowed his brows. “If it's not yours...”
Astrid nodded. “Ruff.”
“Jesus,” Hiccup said under his breath. “...Now what.”
“Ruff's not here, so there's nothing we can do right now. We have to get to your exhibition. We'll... figure it out later I guess.” She clutched the test in her hand, unsure what to do with it.
Hiccup checked his phone for the time. “We gotta go.”
Astrid nodded, awkwardly placing the test back into the garbage can.
The drive to the exhibition was tense, Hiccup on edge and knuckles white on the steering wheel.
“So, how do you think that one happened?” he said, breathing out and checking the rear view mirror.
“I don't know. She's on birth control, so I don't... know.”
“Is Ruff really that responsible though?”
Astrid shook her head, confused. “No, but the thing is she did take that seriously. Like has an alarm set on her phone so she doesn't forget and everything. She parties hard but she also wanted to avoid... oh man...” Astrid put her face in her hands.
“This is gonna sound really bad, but is my cousin the... you know...”
Astrid snorted. “Ruff's a wild one, but she and Snot have been tight lately and they're in a legit relationship. I don't think she'd cheat on him.”
“Interesting,” Hiccup said. “So I guess I'm getting a... what's your cousin's kid in relation to you?”
Astrid googled it. “First cousin once removed.”
“Yeah, that.”
“Guess so,” Astrid mused. “How do we tell her we know?”
“Maybe we don't and act surprised if she decides to tell us?”
“Maybe. I feel like she's going to need support though.”
“Yeah. Wonder if Snot knows or not.” Hiccup tapped his fingers on the wheel. “And if he doesn't, wonder how he'll take this news.”
“Hopefully as best he can. What did those two get themselves into.”
“Each other, obviously,” Hiccup said, with barely a straight face.
Astrid snorted and smacked him on the shoulder. “This is serious!”
“Never doubt my ability to inject some sarcastic levity into any tense situation,” he said wryly.
She rolled her eyes. “Oh you're the champ alright.”
The car pulled into the packed parking lot of Berk University's Art Center. Hiccup scanned the rows for an open space. He exhaled a shaky breath and turned off the ignition.
Astrid patted his shoulder. “You're going to do great. You worked your ass off, your series is amazing, and I know certain people will see that.”
He placed his hand on top of hers and gave her a tender smile. “Thanks. I know what you're doing, but I appreciate it.”
Astrid put her hand in Hiccup's and squeezed as they made their way to the BUAC's gallery in the center of the building. He didn't even attempt to hide his nerves as the brightly lit space came into view, with a few of his classmates and their families already milling about.
Hiccup's eyes darted through the groups of people, his shoulders relaxing slightly when he didn't see two familiar tall silhouettes among them. “Not here yet.”
Astrid shook their joined hands. “Breathe, babe. It's gonna be okay.”
He gave her another fond crooked smile and kissed her temple. “Thank you. It's not easy to keep myself out of the tailspin. Especially when this final critique determines my degree.”
The BUAC dean and panel of art teachers arrived. After a few minutes of socializing, the dean raised her voice and gathered all the students.
“Attention all seniors! We will begin the critique in a few moments. Please let your families know they can hang around until the end and there will be refreshments outside the gallery.”
“Well, this is it,” he said, tugging on his collar.
“You'll do fine.” Astrid kissed his cheek.
“God I hope so,” he said, tensing as he spotted his parents arriving, with Gobber in tow.
Astrid saw them too and smiled. “Your parents love you and they will be nothing but proud of you.”
“My mom, maybe,” Hiccup muttered.
“Babe. Just behave yourself and maybe your dad will surprise you,” Astrid said, patting him on the shoulder and intercepting Hiccup's parents as he joined the group of his classmates.
“Astrid, lovely to see you again, dear,” Valka said as she gave her a hug. “This is our close family friend, but you can call him Uncle Gobber.”
“Pleased to meet yeh, lass,” Gobber said in a thick Scottish accent. “I've heard a lot o'bout yeh.”
Astrid giggled and shook his hand. “I've heard just as much about you.”
“Ahh, Hiccup's been feeding you some tall tales, eh? Don't believe what you hear, the truth is twice as strange.”
“I think I know where Hiccup gets his dramatic flair from.”
She turned to Stoick and he hugged her as well. “So, we didn't miss anything, did we?”
“Nope, they're just starting the final critique now,” Astrid said, gesturing to Hiccup in the group of students gathered around one of his classmate's exhibition.
“Where is Hiccup's work?” Valka asked in a hushed tone, glancing around.
“His is in the alcove over there.” Astrid pointed to a wide arching doorway.
“Well I can't wait to see what he's been working on,” Valka said, radiating warmth and excitement.
“I think you're really going to like it,” Astrid said, grinning. “He put his whole heart and soul into it.”
The group moved to each student's project, the panel of teachers stating their opinions and students chiming in too. Hiccup mainly stayed silent, chewing on his lip and fiddling with his fingers nervously.
When Hiccup's project was up next, he glanced in Astrid's direction and she gave him a brilliant smile and a thumbs up. He weakly returned the smile and turned back as the critique moved into the alcove.
“Oh,” Valka gasped as she placed her hands over her mouth. Stoick's eyebrows rose and his lips parted.
“Hiccup, would you like to explain your body of work, please?” the dean asked.
Hiccup flexed his fingers anxiously and stepped up in front of the group.
“Well, um, the subject of my work is dear to me; as you can see it focuses on conservation efforts, specifically the work my mother does on her reserve. I used to help her on the reserve when I was younger and actually had this foreign concept called 'free time.'” He smiled at the few chuckles.
He turned to look at his work mounted on the wall. “I selected five animals who are in danger of extinction and designed a graphic poster aimed at conservation efforts, something bold and attention grabbing, easily shareable on social media or in print. Then, I painted a companion art piece to showcase the animal's beauty and remind everyone what we're on the verge of losing.”
Tears gathered in the corner of Valka's eyes and Stoick placed his arm around her. Astrid beamed with pride.
Hiccup's graphic posters were bright with eye-catching compositions, sharing important facts about the animal and repercussions to the ecosystem if the animal were to disappear. His mother's reserve, other important conservation efforts, and how to donate to them were listed on the poster.
His paintings were, in a word, breathtaking. He demonstrated impeccable composition, color theory, and painting technique with broad brushstrokes that built depth.
After he finished his explanation, the dean commented. “Let me start off by saying you have an impressive collection here. The subject matter is admirable and I think you proved that you are a well-rounded artist that can not only design logos and graphic materials but also knows his way around a paintbrush. The painting of the tiger in particular grabs me, which is surprising because tigers as subject matter have been done to death. It's rare for me to see art of a tiger in any form that feels fresh, but the look you captured in this animal's eyes is arresting. It stares down the viewer, confronting them and compelling them into action. All of your work is excellent, but the tiger stands out to me the most. It's actually surprising to me that all of these animals are so well-known, yet their actual physical numbers are dwindling in alarming rates. Your graphic posters drive home the point so well, and give the viewer hope that there's still time to change that, and then tells them the information on how. The posters do everything they are designed to do, and what graphic design embodies in the first place. This is an excellent, successful body of work. Congratulations, Hiccup.”
Astrid saw the relief flood onto his face and the tension leave his body as he relaxed. The other teachers added in their opinions and some of his classmates spoke up too. Once his critique was finished the group gave a round of applause and moved on. Hiccup hung back, slumping against the wall and leaning his head against it.
“Babe!” Astrid said, running up and hugging him. “See, I knew they would love it!”
“Oh Hiccup,” Valka said, squeezing him tightly once Astrid had released him. “This is absolutely amazing; I have no words.”
“Thanks, Mom,” he said into her shoulder. His eyes slid over to Stoick as he walked to the middle of the space and took in the surrounding posters.
Valka stepped away as Hiccup scratched the back of his head, nervously waiting for his father to say something.
Astrid shared a look with Valka and they both slipped out of the alcove, joining Gobber just around the corner. Astrid tried not to eavesdrop, but she remained just in earshot, in the event she needed to rescue Hiccup.
She heard Hiccup exhale. “So...”
“Your mother was right. There are no words for this,” Stoick said.
“That's a new one for you,” Hiccup joked.
“Son,” Stoick said, and she could feel Hiccup's resulting silence at Stoick's tone. “I know you and I have not always been on the best of terms, especially over your chosen path. I still may not understand. But this...”
“Dad--”
“You have undeniable talent, son. I've always known that, but today, you really proved it. Admittedly, I didn't think much of graphic arts, beyond designing logos, magazine pages, or websites. Certainly things that felt like they were beneath you and the level of your abilities. Where would the world be if our most brilliant inventors, scientists, and engineers decided their highest calling in life was to be an unskilled house painter.”
“I feel like that's a slight to house painters--”
“Not the point I'm trying to make, son.”
“Okay, right gotcha.”
“But this display, you've really done your mother proud. It actually might get people to donate to her cause and the paintings support the message. This feels like more than just house painting.”
Astrid held her breath and prayed Hiccup would take his father's words at face value and check his sarcasm.
“I'm... glad that you see what I'm capable of,” Hiccup said lightly.
“A whole lot,” Stoick answered. “I've always known what you're capable of, Hiccup.”
Astrid listened to the silence, nervous that Hiccup would take everything the wrong way again, but knowing she couldn't interject. Couldn't he see what his father thinks of him, truly? How much faith his father has in him?
“Right, but only the things you approve of,” Hiccup said carefully. “I'm not setting out to spend my life painting houses, but sometimes painting houses pays the bills.”
“I recognize that. I just want to see you rise up to your full potential.”
“That's... that's great and all but I just feel like it's not ever going to be enough for you—”
“Hiccup, no one is productive one hundred percent of the time. Sometimes it's all you can do to pay the bills. You made your mother and me proud today, son. Take the compliment.”
Astrid peeked around the corner and saw Stoick lay his large hand on Hiccup's shoulder and pat it. Hiccup looked stunned into silence as Stoick turned to leave. Astrid whipped herself back and joined Valka and Gobber, who were hanging in the back of the group and listening to the current critique.
Stoick walked up next to Valka and Astrid caught Hiccup's gaze with a tender smile. His expression was unsure but she could almost see a physical weight lifted off his shoulders.
The rest of the exhibition went well, especially when Hiccup overheard his father telling Valka and Gobber that his work was the best in the show by miles. Astrid smirked at Hiccup and he waved her off.
“What's it like to hear your dad bragging about you?”
“Embarrassing and bewildering. So this is what it feels like when he's actually proud.”
“He's right to be proud,” she said. “We all are. I knew you could do it, babe.”
“Thanks, milady. All the blood, sweat, tears, and all-nighters were worth it, I guess.”
“Does it feel weird to be done?”
Hiccup heaved a sigh. “In some ways it feels like I'll never be done. In other ways, yeah absolutely terrifying. Now I have to get real employment.” He crinkled his nose.
“Oh yeah, you know, real adulthood calls and all.”
“Can I just put a pillow over my head and not answer?”
“Nope! Time to become a productive member of society!” Astrid snorted.
“Booo, no.”
She giggled. “I don't think you get a choice.”
“Fine, I'll be a productive member of society. But I'm gonna complain about it the whole time.”
ooo
“Oh man,” Astrid sighed, turning the key in her door. “I am so glad to be home. My feet are killing me.”
“It was a long day,” Hiccup agreed, his voice betraying his exhaustion.
“Yeah, emotionally draining too,” she said, stepping into the apartment. She spied Ruff's keys on the counter. “Oh yeah... Ruff's here.”
“Oh good, more emotionally draining topics.”
“How do we bring it up without letting her know we know,” Astrid said in a hushed tone, glancing around for her roommate, who wasn't in the main living area.
“Don't you think she should tell us when she's ready?”
Astrid chewed on her bottom lip, indecisive. “Yeah, probably. But what if she doesn't tell us?”
Hiccup shrugged. “If she feels like it's not our business, she doesn't have to tell us.”
“She shouldn't have to go through this alone!”
“It's her decision though, Astrid,” Hiccup said, flopping onto the couch and holding his tired head in his hands.
“I know that, I'm just saying I could be there for her.”
“Which is super noble of you. Hopefully Ruff would see it that way too.”
Unmistakable sounds of retching came from the bathroom. Astrid's eyes widened as she shared a meaningful look with Hiccup. She started for the door.
“Astrid,” he warned. She waved him off.
“Ruff?” she asked through the door. “You okay?”
Her only response was a pitiful groan from behind the closed door.
“Can I come in?”
“I'm fine,” Ruff said, flushing the toilet.
“You didn't sound fine,” Astrid prompted. “Are you sick?”
A small beat passed. “Sure.”
Astrid listened as Ruff washed her hands and the light clicked off. Ruff opened the door, weary and worn down. She took one look at Astrid's face and heaved a sigh.
“Okay, how did you find out.”
“Find out what?” Astrid said, too innocently to be convincing.
“Oh don't play dumb, I know you know, I can see it in those ridiculous puppy dog eyes you're giving me.” Ruff rolled her eyes with a good-natured scoff.
“I found the test in the garbage by accident,” she said sheepishly. “Are you okay? Ruff, this is... how did this happen?”
“Remember that sinus infection I had oh, about a month and a half ago?”
“Yeah...”
“The antibiotic I was prescribed apparently lessens the effect of birth control. Snot picked it up for me and I don't think the pharmacy realized they should've told him that little factoid, so we didn't know we needed to use a backup method.”
“Oh man,” Astrid said, sympathetic hand on her cheek.
“Yeah. Cut to three weeks later and basically I'm a fucking white rabbit I'm so late. It turned positive right away. Congrats to me,” she said, twirling her index finger.
“Does Snot know?”
“Not yet, no. I think I've been in a little bit of denial. Somehow saying it out loud makes it real, or something. That and the morning sickness has kicked in, so apparently it's acceptance time. Did you know that calling it 'morning' sickness is a big fat lie and you can feel like you're going to throw up all day long? Because I do.”
Astrid patted her shoulder in sympathy. “That sounds awful. Are you going to tell Snot?”
Ruff barked in sharp laughter. “Probably should, otherwise he might just figure it out once I've got a basketball under my shirt.”
Astrid pulled her into a hug. “You know I will help you with anything that you need, right?”
Ruff hugged her a little tighter. “I know. Thank you.”
Hiccup approached the conversation. “We both will help you, you don't have to do this alone.”
Ruff gave them a genuine smile with a hint of tears glimmering in her eyes. “You're good friends.”
“Technically that little one in there is family, which means you're family,” Hiccup said.
“Aww.” Ruff slung her arms around his waist for a hug. “Now you're officially stuck with me!”
“Ruff...”
“Yes?”
“...Do you always cop a feel when you give everyone a hug, or am I just lucky?”
“So lucky. Not everyone gets to experience the privilege of these magic fingers.”
“Maybe motherhood will change you,” Hiccup said wistfully. “We have nine months to watch you metamorphosis from wasted party girl with vomit in her hair to maternal glowing goddess, like a trashy promiscuous caterpillar turning into a beautiful butterfly with a baby.”
“Booo,” Ruff said, giving him a sharp pinch and making him yelp.
“You'll see, nine months is plenty of time,” Hiccup encouraged, gently gripping her wrists and removing them from his posterior.
ooo
As it turns out, nine months went much faster than any of them could have anticipated. It seemed like just yesterday Ruff had broken the news to a shocked Snot, who quickly overcame his astonishment by shouting “My boys can swim!”
Tuff's reaction was much less exuberant, with his main concern that Ruff couldn't binge drink on the weekends with him anymore and also second hand smoke was bad for the baby. He perked up considerably when Hiccup pointed out that he would get to be an uncle and inflict all sorts of bad influence on the kiddo.
The months flew by as Ruff's bump grew bigger and bigger, and soon it was “any day now,” which turned into Ruff waking up Astrid at three in the morning because her water broke. Ruff and Snot raced off to the hospital and Astrid never set her phone down for a moment until she received a text from Snot many hours later that baby was here and both were doing well.
Astrid consulted her phone. “Ruff said she's in room 308.”
Hiccup pushed the floor number and the close doors button to the hospital elevator. “So, what do you think a combination of Snot and Ruff's ugly mugs is gonna look like.”
Astrid smacked him on the shoulder. “All babies are cute, hush!”
“You know I'm right.”
“Babies are cute. ...When that kid hits puberty it'll be a rough transition though,” Astrid admitted. She shook her head. “I can't believe Ruff's a mom now. It's so weird!”
“Right, she's literally the walking embodiment of a Kesha song.”
“Hey, be nice!” Astrid admonished with a laugh.
“I am being nice,” Hiccup said innocently. “And also accurate. Sometimes it's hard to hear the truth.”
“It's so crazy to me that not even a year ago we were all just doing whatever and living our lives and now there's a new little person that didn't exist before.”
“Yeah, really brought home how quickly it can all happen,” Hiccup agreed.
The elevator doors opened and they scouted the hospital rooms until they found Ruff's. Astrid knocked gently and Snot greeted them at the door.
“Hey guys,” Snot said, bags under his eyes and unmistakable pride in his expression.
Astrid held in a squeal as she approached Ruff's bed, a bundle wrapped in her arms.
“He's sleeping,” Ruff said, exhaustion in her face but a glow about her that Astrid hadn't seen before.
She cooed at the sweet little face peeking out of the blankets. “Oh Ruff, he's adorable!”
“Yeah,” she said softly, gazing down at him. “It's funny... no one told me that after this kid came out my heart would go right with him.”
“Awwww.” She rubbed his pudgy cheek with her index finger.
“Want to hold him?”
“You didn't even have to ask,” Astrid said with grabby hands.
“Oh boy.” Hiccup eyed Astrid's eagerness as Ruff placed the baby in her arms.
“This is how it starts, cuz,” Snot said, elbowing him.
“Great,” Hiccup said, his sarcastic tone unable to cover his small smile as Astrid swayed with the baby.
“So what was it like?” Astrid asked, eyes wide.
“Painful,” Ruff said flatly. “Nineteen hours of labor and forty-five minutes of pushing.”
“Did you get an epidural?”
Ruff laughed out loud. “I tapped out after six hours of the most excruciating pain I've ever felt, and that's including watching Snot trying to load the dishwasher. When the anesthesiologist came through the door bathed in white light I thought he was an angel and the most beautiful man I've ever seen in my life.”
“Hey,” Snot said, pouting.
“Oh sweetie,” Ruff said, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. “I let you into my bed and I procreated with you. But believe me when I say you do not have the face of an angel.”
“Wha- well, neither do--”
“Babe,” Ruff cut him off, giving him a dangerous smile and squeezing his forearm. “Maybe you might want to rethink what you are about to say to the mother of your child.”
“Ooowww,” he hissed, cringing under her grip. “You're beautiful and I love you and our beautiful son.”
“Good boy,” she said, releasing him with a pat. “I love you too. Hiccup! You should hold the baby.”
He held up his hands, backing off. “Oh, I don't need--”
“Hiccup,” Ruff said, leveling her insistent pleasant gaze at him. “It wasn't a suggestion, hon.”
“Oookay,” he said, wiping his hands on his pants and walking over to Astrid. “Apparently she's even scarier as a mom,” he muttered. He gave Astrid a nervous uncertain smile. She grinned back at him and handed the baby over, instructing him to support the baby's head and neck.
“Hey there little bud.” He tucked the blanket under the baby's chin to see his face better. “I can't believe how tiny you are. You're pretty cute, considering who your parents are.”
“Ha ha,” Snot said, shaking his head with a tolerant grin.
Hiccup walked around the bed, rocking the little bundle as a sleepy hand wiggled out of the blanket swaddle. He teased the tiny little fingers as they wrapped around his index.
“Oh my God, that's so cute, get a picture,” Astrid said, scrambling for her phone.
Ruff smiled. “That's a good look on him, isn't it,” she said to Astrid, elbowing her while she took a burst of twenty plus pictures.
He conversed with Snot, swaying and patting the underside of the baby like a natural.
Ooooooooy boy. That.... that was certainly a sight.
“How are your ovaries doing?” Ruff snorted.
“Don't make this worse for me, I can't have a baby right now,” Astrid bemoaned, unable to look away while she filled up her phone's storage with more pictures.
“Of course you can, babies are the best lab partners while you're handling caustic chemicals around open flames.”
Astrid sighed as a huge smile crossed Hiccup's face when the baby's eyes opened and Hiccup stroked his soft little cheek.
She always held a hefty amount of skepticism for certain romantic concepts like love at first sight, soulmates, and how people just knew someone was 'the one.' Life altering decisions like that needed to be approached rationally—just allowing your heart to believe in something like high school sweethearts surely led to heartache.
But, looking at Hiccup as he held an hours old newborn like a pro, she couldn't deny the feelings that had crept in ever since she first laid eyes on him when he opened his door so long ago. They were whispers, suggestions, 'what could be's, forcing her to reevaluate her hard learned lessons that giving her heart away freely was a sure way to get it broken. Hiccup subverted everything she thought she knew, and as she watched him give Snot a proud smile, there was no denying the feeling flooding her chest underneath her breastbone.
This is what people meant when they knew someone was 'the one,' not a single shred of doubt or wavering in her heart. When the time was right, she and Hiccup would be in a room similar to this one, sharing their love for one another with their families and starting their own.
The baby started snuffling, turning his head and opening his mouth. “Uh oh, I think he's gonna figure out I'm not mom,” Hiccup laughed. He walked back to Ruff's side. “Welcome to the family little bud.” He handed the baby back to Ruff.
“Well, we'll let you get back to resting and recovering.” Astrid leaned over the hospital bed and gave Ruff a hug. “Oh!” she said as she straightened up, “I almost forgot.” She looked at Hiccup and he nodded.
“Forgot what?” Ruff asked, undoing the snaps on her hospital gown so she could feed the baby. The concept of modesty went right out the window after giving birth.
“I wanted to let you know that I'm moving in with Hiccup,” Astrid said, grabbing Hiccup's hand so she could hold it. “We figured you could turn my bedroom into a nursery for the baby then.”
“Aww, really?” Ruff said with a bittersweet smile. “That's really thoughtful of you. I hope you didn't feel like you had to though, cause he'll sleep in our room for a while—“
“Oh, I know!” Astrid reassured. “I'm sure it's way easier to keep him in your room for the first several months. But when you are ready to create a nursery for him, you can use my old room.”
“That's really nice. I mean, I know your ulterior motive is just so you don't have to keep bouncing between apartments like you do now, but thank you for thinking of us.”
“I don't have an ulterior motive!” Astrid protested. “But this arrangement would work out for everyone, you have to agree.”
“I do agree,” Ruff nodded. “I'm just going to miss you.”
Astrid's eyes watered. “I'm going to miss you too, of course.”
“I suppose it wasn't going to last forever. Just didn't realize it would happen so soon,” Ruff sighed.
“Yeah, well I didn't think you were going to become a mom either, so...”
“No one did, except everyone did because I'm not exactly known for my good decision making skills and personal sense of responsibility.”
Astrid laughed. “He was meant to be here.”
Ruff smiled down at him. “Yeah, he sure was.” Snot joined her and his proud grin radiated off his face.
“Anyway, we'll get going. See you when you come home!”
“Have a good night!” Ruff said. “Enjoy the apartment to yourselves, watch a movie, Netflix and chill, make our kid a little buddy to play with, whatever!”
“Ruff!” Astrid protested.
“What? I always thought we'd be pregnant at the same time so our kids could be besties. You're not holding up your end of my perfectly reasonable fantasy.”
“Goodbye, Ruff!” Astrid giggled as she waved and closed the door.
ooo
Astrid pushed the last heavy box toward the door and brushed off her hands. “Well, I think that's everything.” She sniffled, blinking away the wetness gathering at the corner of her eyes.
“Okay, this isn't fair,” Ruff said, tears breaking free and rolling down her cheeks. “My postnatal hormones are still all over the place and I cry at everything. Come here; I'm going to miss you so much.”
Astrid laughed, a tear escaping down her cheek too as Ruff enveloped her in a hug. “I'm literally going to be next door.”
“But why does it feel like it's farther away than that.” Ruff squeezed.
“Oh, probably because we know that this is it and we're graduating from college and you had a baby, and we have to be adults for real this time.” Astrid squeezed Ruff back.
“Thank you for summing that up,” Ruff said, unable to catch a sob.
Hiccup came through the door and picked up the last box, jostling it in his arms. “Holy cats, what do you have in here, bricks?”
“It's all my volleyball and pom squad trophies,” Astrid said over Ruff's shoulder.
“Ah, right, you actually win at things,” Hiccup said wryly, hefting it up and maneuvering out the door.
“I have to live with a boy,” Astrid cried, and both girls laughed through the tears.
“I have to live with two boys,” Ruff moaned. “The toilet seat will never be down ever again.”
They let go of the hug and Astrid wiped her cheeks. “You were the best roomie and the best friend. I know the boys will take good care of you.”
“Thank you,” Snot said generously, holding his son while Ruff was saying goodbye.
“And I know Hiccup will take good care of you.”
Astrid nodded with a watery smile and heaved a sigh when Hiccup appeared at the door. “Well. I guess that's it... oh!” She dug into her purse and pulled out her keyring. “I should give you my spare key--”
“Keep it,” Ruff interjected. “Just in case, like we accidentally lock ourselves out or something.”
“Okay,” Astrid agreed. “Well, um, bye guys.”
“Bye,” Ruff said, a new batch of tears flowing down her cheeks. She took the baby from Snot and hugged him for comfort.
“We'll see you around!” Snot said, markedly less emotional than Ruff. Hiccup waved with a cheery smile. Both boys were much more excited for this arrangement than forlorn.
Astrid closed the door with another sniffle.
About five minutes later, she knocked on it and Ruff answered with lightning speed. Astrid held up a bottle of wine and pizza with a sheepishly hopeful smile on her face, with Hiccup rolling his eyes good-naturedly behind her.
“Come in, stranger, long time no see,” Ruff said, ushering them inside.
Hiccup and Snot shook their heads at each other with patient smiles. Clearly this would take some adjustment.
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geminijade · 1 year
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Top Gun Tuesday 💕💞
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