Chapter 3: There will always be

Blame Impracticable-Dreamer(Hi twin!) for this update.

And no, I'm not alive.

Oh yeah! I decided to continue Part 3 as a multi-chap; there's just too much to cover for me—to try to fit everything on a single chapter—and I couldn't figure out how to make it work... So hence my long hiatus for this story.

So My Fave Place won't be a three-shot anymore.

My favorite place in all the world is next to you.

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There will always be—

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Every time Astrid saw someone with an auburn mop, she'd freeze, her heart stopping for a moment, hoping that it had to be him. Then she'd double-take, only to find herself disappointed.

It wasn't him. Hiccup. Her Hiccup.

Ever since he was gone in her life, she was left with this dull ache in her chest. A huge hollow space in her heart that belonged to him. Only him.

She couldn't keep doing this to herself—

—he was not coming back.

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Who was he? What happened?

They told him he would be fine—

Everything would be okay... Eventually. In time.

But it had been three years.

He was starting to think that he would never get them back.

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—a Hiccup and Astrid

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A girls' night out with her two best friends was pretty much a perfect recipe for disaster—and yet, she said yes.

Heather and Ruffnut's idea of a Sunday girls' night out always screamed trouble, especially when the said 'girls' night out' would likely involve tequila—lots of it—and truth and dare. Astrid was almost certain that their attempts to help her "loosen up for once" were actually the two of them conspiring to get her drunk.

Astrid shouldn't have agreed; not when she was assigned the opening shift the following morning for her part-time at the UniCafe. But Astrid was having that kind of night when she was alone in her room, and she couldn't help but wonder about a certain stupid boy, missing all the times when they hang out. During those particular nights, Astrid felt so alone being away from home—from Berk—for college. So when her best friends called, an opportunity to just forget all about everything and just drown it all in alcohol, it was too good to pass up.

And now, she could barely keep her head above water. How was she going to survive for the rest of the day when it was barely eight in the morning and her shift barely started. She still had classes to survive in the afternoon!

"You're spacing out again." Ruffnut's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, "You know... the store's not going to open by itself," Ruffnut reminded her.

"Oh... sorry. It'sjust that there's something on my mind, and I haven't got a wink last night." Astrid shook her head, clearing her mind. She stared at the key in her hand; she remembered it was almost eight—the store was supposed to be open by now.

Astrid made her way to the store entrance. She absentmindedly unlocked the glass doors and flipped the sign hanging on the door as she watched the wave of people pass by outside the cafe.

Astrid froze and did a double-take. For a moment, she thought that she just saw him. But then again, her head was too hazy, and she was slightly hangover. So she brushed the thought off as her probably seeing things. Astrid made her way back to the counter, letting out a sigh as she put the key inside the cash register.

It couldn't be him. There was no way it was him. But what if Hiccup could be studying here somewhere in Dragon's Edge University, Astrid wondered.

Astrid shook her head.

Every time Astrid saw someone with an auburn mop, she'd always freeze, her heart stopping for a moment, hoping that it had to be him. Then she'd double-take, only to find herself disappointed.

It wasn't him. Hiccup. Her Hiccup.

Ever since he was gone from her life, she was left with this dull ache in her chest. A huge hollow space in her heart that belonged to him. Only him.

She couldn't keep doing this to herself—

—he was not coming back.

"Hmmm, let me guess... you're thinking about your boy back home, ain't cha?"

Astrid sighed, answering absent-mindedly, "He's hardly home—" she paused. "—wait, how did you know?"

"Have you seen yourself drunk?" Ruffnut said, smirking at her teasingly. "You always get emotional, then you start attacking trees like a madwoman then you begin ranting about Hiccup this and Hiccup that. I bet it would be awesome if I made a vine out of it—"

"—okay, I heard enough and let's leave it at that." Astrid felt hot in her cheeks. Did she really drink that much last night? No wonder her head ached that bad. Gods, she was never going to agree with Ruffnut and Heather again.

"No way I'm letting you off easily—who's this Hiccup anyway? Your ex or something?" Ruffnut leaned at the counter.

Her mood soured; she never wanted to discuss anything to do with Hiccup.

"He's just a friend... a very special friend," Astrid answered blandly.

Ruffnut grinned. "Well, you surely spend hella lot of time spacing out, thinking about him to be 'just a friend'—"

"—it doesn't matter, he's gone and it's my fault he left." Before Ruffnut could speak again, she added, "I'm not really in the mood for this right now, and if you say another word about him—I'm leaving." Astrid quickly pulled off her apron, making an effort to show Ruffnut that she pulled it quite angrily and was serious with her threat.

Ruffnut looked really surprised. "Woah! Calm your tits... I'm not gonna pry or anything, just trying to lighten the mood."

"You're right, I'm sorry..."Astrid apologized. "I didn't mean to lash on you, it's just... " Astrid shrugged her shoulders.

"No biggie," Ruffnut shrugged back, then patted her shoulder.

They worked in silence for a few minutes. Ruffnut tried to start a conversation a couple of times, but the tension only became more awkward and stilted at each attempt.

"You know what, just take the day off," Ruffnut suggested on her tenth attempt. "I'll cover for your shift. I'll hold the fort. Besides, it's Monday; it's not like the tables are going to get full any time of the day—people are either half-dead or trying not to be stuck in their bed."

Normally, Astrid would never entertain the idea of skipping work, but she was in no condition to work right now and could surely use the day off.

"You're right, I probably should."

"Wait what? You're agreeing to this?" Ruffnut paused, scratching her chin. "I was hoping you'd probably brush me off like usual, and then we would go back to work as if nothing happened. But I guess that works too, as long as you don't stay mad at me for doing you a favor."

Astrid sighed, smiling slightly. Ruff... nonchalant as always. "I'm not mad at you... it's just—"

"—Shhh, just go before you start moping again, and I swear to god, don't come back here until you're done with your—"Ruffnut shrugged her shoulders exaggeratedly, gesturing to Astrid."—you know—stuffs. And don't you dare thank me—just go already."

Astrid chuckled softly. "I'm taking my leave then."

As soon as Astrid left, she figured she probably wouldn't get any rest with all the stuff on her mind lately, so she might as well distract herself by doing something productive in her day off.

Astrid was just on her way to the library when she happened to pass by a newly opened art and craft supplies store. She remembered she was running low on bristol board for her plate, and she also needed refill for some of her inks. So she decided to stop by; better buy her materials now rather than end up running in the middle of the night to buy inks because she ran out of them while procrastinating.

"Afternoon M'lady," avoice greeted her as soon as she entered to store.

A shiver ran down her spine. That voice... there was a familiar nasally tone on it...

It couldn't be.

Her eyes snapped to the owner of the voice; she froze.

It's him.

It's really him... Hiccup. That scar on his lips, and those green eyes—there was no mistaking it.

Astrid took a deep breath and swallowed, struggling to hold back her tears. It had been three years—three long and lonely years—but she finally found him.

Looking at him again, she couldn't help but feel a twinge in her chest. He looked so different... definitely taller than her now. His shoulders were broader, all the baby fats on his face were now completely gone, making his jawline more defined, which was covered with a bit of stubble now.

She tried to speak, but before she could muster the voice to speak, his voice cut her off.

"Sorry to ask you this out of the blue—but should I know you?"

"Wait, what?" Astrid frowned, feeling confused. Was Hiccup being sarcastic? Was this some kind of a joke to him? Astrid looked at him again, then her eyes landed on his left leg. Her eyes widened in horror and she let out a horrifying gasp.

Hiccup eyed her weirdly; he looked down at his own leg then shrugged. "It's just that... you see ... there was an accident three years ago. Long-story-short, I've lost my memories and tada! Pegleg! So I've learned the look someone gives me when they seem to recognize me... And you're kind of giving me that look right now."

Astrid had played thousands of possible scenarios of meeting him again in her head. But this, she didn't imagine...

"So... should I know you?" Hiccup asked again.

The question hit her with too many emotions.

Her blood ran cold, making her heart stop for a moment before it began drumming furiously. It was almost unbearable for her; she needed to place both of her hands on top of her chest in an attempt to keep herself calm. Then she was suddenly overcome with regret and guilt that she bottled up for three years.

What was she even going to say? She felt scared of whatever answer that would come out of her mouth—

The door swung open, breaking Astrid out of her reverie. She never had the chance to answer the question as a girl bounded from the door, while Hiccup appeared to be unfussed by the development as if it was an everyday thing.

"Hiccup!" the girl called out, grinning.

"Cami!" Hiccup called back, his face obviously brightening.

Astrid watched as the petite strawberry blonde girl charged in. Hiccup met her halfway, then caught her as she jumped, spinning her around like a child before he finally put her down. Then Cami punched Hiccup in the gut, making him bend down to kiss him on the cheek.

Watching them now from the sideline, Astrid remembered what it was like—back when they were young and nothing in the world mattered other than their friendship. A huge part of Astrid felt that it should have been her with Hiccup right now... if only she hadn't thrown it all away.

(The moment he spotted her, though, his face brightened; so did hers.

Everything felt right in the world again as long as they're together.)

Hiccup met her eyes; he was suddenly aware of her presence. He straightened up, smiled at her sheepishly then gestured her to Cami.

He cleared his throat. "Oh yeah, Cami meet erm ... Miss?"

"Astrid." she answered with a practiced smile, despite her head feeling like a mess, only half-registering what was happening as bittersweet memories flashed in her mind.

("Dear, Little Astrid here just told you her name, what about you? go on introduce yourself." His mother gently ushered him away from her legs.)

"A-Astrid?" Hiccup looked dazed for a moment, almost stumbling. For a moment, she felt a glint of hope that Hiccup would suddenly remember her.

Astrid was about to step forward but Cami was already by his side. Instead of recognizing her, he shook his head and then smiled gratefully at Cami before facing her again—his smile not having the same light as it had when he was looking at Cami.

"Astrid meet, Cami," he introduced. "My best-worsefriend; I haven't decided yet—"Cami punched him in his arms"—Oof! Fine! Bestfriend! Bestfriend!"

"Ass. And don't you forget it." Cami said, reaching out her pinky finger. Hiccup pretended to hesitate for a moment, grinning teasingly, making Cami pout and frown.

"Of course. And you know I'm hopeless without you," Hiccup replied, linking his own pinky with Cami's.

Next chapter would more on Hiccup. And Updates would probably very random.