AN: There comes a time in every author's career where they just have to do a Soulmate AU. The trope has been nagging at me for quite a while now. This is my take on it and my long-time readers will know that this... is anything but cliche. For my new readers, strap in. You're in for a bumpy ride.

Part 1A: Realization

Berk, 1996

"-nd you're to blame. Darlin', you give love a bad name..." Astrid sang while headbanging to Bon Jovi in her car, a sweet crimson red 1992 Eagle Talon. Her feathered bangs bounced to the music as she waited for the light to turn green. "An angel's smile is what you sell. You promise me Heaven, then put me through hell," she continued to sing while tapping the steering wheel with one hand while her other arm hung on the door.

She turned right at the intersection once the traffic lights changed and drove the last five minutes to her high school where she parked in one of the Senior spots. It was a busy day today as she stepped out of her car and looked around after grabbing her black leather jacket.

"Astrid!" Someone yelled causing Astrid to startle and nearly punch the person who glomped her.

"Heather, for Pete's sake don't do that!" Astrid rolled her eyes as her BFF since elementary tried to cling to her. Those metal studs on her jacket were not doing their job.

"Hey, you coming to Fishleg's LAN party this weekend?" Heather asked as she let go and walked backwards towards the High school's entrance. "He finally upgraded his system to the new Windows 95."

"I'll think about it," Astrid laughed. "Honestly, you surprise me, Heather. I didn't think you were into that stuff."

"Hey, Fish is my soulmate," Heather stuck her tongue out at Astrid. "He's been taking a lot of interest in my hobbies and I think I should be doing the same. We're going to be together forever, right? Besides you might find your soulmate at the party."

Astrid looked at her wrist where her soulmate mark was hidden by her watch strap. "Maybe," She shrugged. "I don't know. I'm not that into this whole soulmate thing. Alexi is though. She's been dragging me to parties and trying to find our soulmates," Here Astrid rolled her eyes.

"Well, you'll have lots of opportunities of meeting new people when we head off to college," Heather smirked. "Who knows, maybe Mister Right is a sexy college hunk,"

"HEATHER!" Astrid blushed but her friend just winked in her direction.

"But seriously can you believe we're graduating in a week?" Heather asked, now walking next to Astrid through the rows of lockers. "I hate to say this but I might actually miss this place,"

"Not me," Astrid laughed. "Gods I'll be glad to get out of here. My parents have been getting on my nerves a bit lately thanks to Alexi."

"What's your little sister got to do with that? Isn't she like a grade lower than you?" Heather asked while raising a brow.

"Yes, but she's like so perfect! Ugh," Astrid sighed. "At least according to my parents. You and I both know my grades weren't the best though I'm still graduating." Now she rolled her eyes. "Yet all I hear from them is, you should be more like Alexi," she mimed "You know she made Studentbody President. She's a future Valedictorian... Bla Bla Bla."

"That's insane girl," Heather uttered as they got to their lockers. "Can't they even be happy you got into college?"

"They wanted me to go to an Ivy League University and were disappointed I got accepted into the local community college." Astrid slammed her locker door. "Ugh... you'd think they'd be happy I'm not a couch potato,"

As Astrid turned she walked straight into a very muscled chest. "Oye watch where you're going," A male voice spoke. Astrid backed away to look and see that it was none other than Eret Eretson, High school jock extraordinaire, sporting his signature letterman jacket.

"Sorry Eret," She apologized and both went on their way.

The day dragged on and Astrid honestly didn't know why she still came to school with only a week left. After PE she luckily had lunch so she could unwind. It was then that Heather, who sat down with her own tray of slob, effectively called a school-provided lunch, noticed Astrid's missing watch.

"Shoot, I must have left it in the locker room," Astrid commented as she put her other hand over her soulmate mark so no one would see. She's always been secretive about it, to the point where Alexi teased her. Calling her a romantic just because she wanted the guy to fall for her and not the mark they both had.

Astrid stood up quickly, telling Heather she'll be right back. With her mind set to rush to her locker in the gym, she once again didn't notice the wall of muscle and walked right into Eret Eretson again.

"Geeze Hofferson. You need glasses or something?" Eret commented while rolling his eyes.

"Sorry," Astrid said as she held her hands, palms out to convey she wanted no trouble. She however forgot she hadn't had her watch and Eret's eyes went straight to the soulmark in the shape of a trident on the inner side of her wrist that was now in full view.

"Hey wait a minute," Eret said stopping her by grabbing her arm. Astrid made a strangled sound and her eyes widened when she saw Eret inspecting her mark. She nearly fainted when he pulled back his shirt near his neck to reveal the exact same mark.

"YO GUYS! I FOUND MY SOULMATE!" Eret shouted which drew the eyes of everyone in the cafeteria and Astrid felt mortified. Eret didn't seem like one for tact as he suddenly hugged Astrid while his jock friends cheered. Astrid looked back to see Heather staring at the whole thing with wide eyes. The half-eaten burger in her hand was long forgotten as the tomato slipped from it and landed on the tray with a squish.

-0-

Berk, 1999, New Year's eve

Astrid sat at a table while the celebration was ongoing around her. She and Eret had been invited to Heather and Fishlegs' Y2K celebration on the rooftop of Fishlegs' apartment yet Eret was nowhere to be seen.

She sighed. Three years she'd been with Eret after the soulmate mark reveal. Her parents were delighted when she told them as was her sister. Eret was immediately welcomed into the family which made Astrid groan. She tried to tell them that she would attempt a relationship, but that got her looks as if she was the crazy one. Her parents were soulmate traditionalists, believing that once you met your match then that was it. The relationship after didn't matter as you were bound to be with that person forever. Lately, they had even been hinting at Astrid and Eret to tie the knot already.

Astrid at least had an excuse to wait three years. Eret went to study Business Administration at some fancy University across the country while Astrid finished her Dental Hygienist course at the local college. Her parents loved the idea of Eret having a fancy degree and supported them moving in together when both had graduated.

Another sigh escaped her lips as she thought back to the past year of living together with Eret. If this was what her life would be like she'd rather tie herself to a rocket that's heading to the moon. Eret was, to say the least, not the best boyfriend. Take tonight for example. He'd promised he'd be here. With the whole Y2K bug scare, Astrid at least wanted a kiss on New Year if an apocalypse was impending.

"Yo Astrid! Have you seen the wifey?!" Fishlegs, somewhat tipsy asked. He had a party hat on that had Y2K in glitter. He was also holding a champagne flute. Astrid smiled. She was really happy for Heather and Fishlegs. They made being soulmates work.

"I think she was trying to get some guy to stop hogging the guacamole." Astrid pointed towards the buffet table.

"Thanks Astrid!" Fishlegs said as he scurried off.

Astrid sighed and got up just as the countdown started. She pushed through the other partygoers as they eagerly counted down from ten. She bumped into a lanky auburn who was pushing past her to the opposite side. By the count of three, she had reached the door to the rooftop and wrenched it open. It shut just as the fireworks started and Astrid leaned against the cool metal of the door crying.

She went home that night as celebrations hit the streets. It seemed that there was no impending apocalypse after all. She managed to maneuver her car through the masses and reached the brownstone apartment Eret and her inhabited. When she opened the door the apartment was silent. She called out Eret's name but no answer. That night when spirits were supposed to be high Astrid went to bed surrounded by cold sheets.

The following morning Astrid was making breakfast for herself when Eret, clearly nursing a hangover, walked through the front door.

"Where have you been? Do you even know how worried I was when I woke up and you weren't home yet?!" Astrid turned to ask while holding her plastic spatula.

"Geeze, lay off will you," Eret grumbled. "I just crashed at a friend's place,"

"You didn't even show up at the New Years' party!" Astrid frowned. "You promised you'd be there!"

"Well excuse me for wanting to be with my friends who mattered," Eret shot back angrily. "The Ingerman's are your friends!"

"What?! So I didn't matter?" Astrid yelled. Her eggs were burning but she didn't care. "I've put up with a lot Eret! But lately, you've been treating me like my feelings and opinions don't mean squat,"

"Astrid... it's not like that...." Eret muttered. "Look, I have a splitting headache. We'll talk about this later. It's not as if you're going somewhere. We're soulmates."

"I am..." Astrid stated while crossing her arms defiantly.

"What?" Eret frowned, unsure of what she was speaking up about.

"I said, I am... going somewhere, that is," Astrid repeated as she turned off the stove and dumped the severely burned eggs in the trash. "I'm leaving. I'm leaving you, I'm leaving this place and this miserable relationship."

"Now hold up a minute!" Eret exclaimed.

"No, we're done!" Astrid said as she marched past Eret to go to their bedroom. Eret followed after her and saw her angrily stuffing her clothing in a large duffle bag. Astrid then proceeded to take out a small suitcase from deep in the closet and filled that up too.

"You can't be serious!" Eret exclaimed. "We're soulmates! You belong to me!" This caused Astrid to stop and glare at Eret. "No I don't," She stated as her glare turned vicious. "I belong to no one! Especially not someone who invalidates me!" she growled while shoving more of her belongings haphazardly into the suitcase.

"Do you think anyone will accept this?!" Eret screamed. "You're running away from a destined relationship!"

"Well I've seen what this relationship brought and it majorly sucks." Astrid declared. "Eret, you make no effort! To you we're soulmates and that's it. You put no work into this relationship! You think I'm nothing but a trophy to have by your side! I have feelings too!"

"I do make an effort!" Eret exclaimed as Astrid zipped up her bags. "Don't put this all on me!"

"Oh really?" She shot back. "If you made such an effort then what is my favorite color?"

"B-Blue?" Eret answered though it sounded more like a question.

"It's terracotta," Astrid just rolled her eyes.

"What am I allergic to?" She then asked.

"Uhm..." Eret however didn't answer.

"Nuts Eret! NUTS!" She screamed. "Oh my, Thor! How could we have been together for three years and you don't know the things that could kill me?!"

"I'm done. I'm just done. With you, with this whole soulmate BS." She uttered as she solved past him. She turned and looked at the man that was supposed to be her partner for life. "You know, if you've even made a bit of effort to know me as I know you then maybe we could have made it work but..." She took a deep breath "But clearly you just thought being soulmates would work out while you did your own thing,"

"You can't just go!" Eret screamed as he came to his senses that Astrid was really going to walk out. "YOU NEED ME! YOU'LL SEE!" He shouted after her even though she slammed the door. "YOU'LL COME CRAWLING BACK! YOU'LL SEE!"

Astrid got in her car, the same one she'd had since Highschool, and drove away from the brownstone. She was breathing heavily after that encounter. At a traffic light, she looked at the bags she had thrown on the back seat and sighed. Was she really doing this? Throwing away a three-year relationship with her soulmate of all things. Many would call her insane but Astrid just couldn't deal with Eret and his insensitive ass anymore. She cooked and cleaned on top of having a job at a dental practice and not once had that man said thank you. He came home from work, plopped his ass on the couch, put on the TV, and demanded dinner.

Astrid thought back to the last time they even had a date while she drove. The last time he had taken her out to a nice restaurant was... last year's Snoggletog but that was a dinner with her parents attending as well so she didn't know if she should count it.

Astrid ended up driving all the way back to her parents' house in the suburbs. The house she grew up in looked generic. Shingled roof, white picket fence. Rows upon rows of the same styled house. She took a deep breath and stepped out on the curb before walking to the front door.

She rang the doorbell and smiled when her mother answered it.

"Astrid!" her mother greeted as she gave her a big hug. "I didn't expect you to visit so soon in the new year!" The older woman then looked past Astrid and frowned "We're Eret?" She asked.

"Eret and I broke up," Astrid said after taking a deep breath. Her mother took a step back and frowned.

"What do you mean?" her mother asked.

"It's like I said, mom. Eret and I broke up. There's no more relationship." She uttered.

"But... but... Eret is your soulmate. You can't just break up!" Her mom now looked aghast as she said this. "Whatever were you thinking child! Go back this instance and make up with him!"

"No mom, I'm done," Astrid sighed. "I was wondering if you'd let me crash here for a few days until I can get a new place."

"No,"

"Mom, what?" Astrid was shocked by her mother's refusal.

"I don't know what's gotten in that head of yours but you go right back to Eret and make up!" Her mother angrily said as she jabbed her daughter in the chest. "He is a fine young man with a wonderful education! He's your soulmate! How dare you even think of breaking up with your soulmate! It's just not done!"

"Eret was an ass! And he doesn't care about me," Astrid tried to explain. "Mom, he told me I was his property!"

"Well, you are!" Her mother now shouted. "He's yours and your his! That's what soulmates are. Now I don't want to hear any more nonsense about you breaking up with your soulmate. You get your butt back over there and make up!"

"Mom NO!" Astrid yelled. "You just don't get it, do you? It doesn't matter if he's my soulmate or not. If he doesn't respect me or this relationship... it's been going on for the past three years mom! Eret just thinks of me as an accessory! He thinks that he can do what he likes because I'll always be there waiting for him."

"And you will!" her mother announced. "I didn't raise you to be this defiant. We have soulmates for a reason!"

"People marry others that aren't their soulmates all the time!" Astrid argued back. "I don't see why this is such a problem."

"Those poor souls only marry each other because they never find their other half, Astrid!" Her mother retorted. "But you have! You found the other half of your soul. You two belong together!"

Astrid backed away from her mother, turned around, and quickly walked back to her car.

"Astrid! Astrid! Where are you going?! Astrid!" Her mother yelled after her when she drove off.

The following week she had spent living out of her car. Thankfully Eret hadn't come to her place of work, probably thinking he'd let her stew, and she was able to shower at the Rec center. It was while she was walking out of the gym shower room that she saw a flyer on the corkboard advertising the need for a roommate. Astrid took a strip with the contact information and decided it was worth a try. She needed a new place after all.

When Astrid turned up at the address she was greeted with quite a posh-looking apartment complex. Immediately she felt out of place with her old car. They even had a valet and she watched nervously as her car was parked in the lot. She also felt severely underdressed. The lobby alone looked like something out of the Richie Rich movie. Astrid nervously entered the elevator, now thinking she'd made a mistake in coming here, and pressed the button to the top floor. Belatedly she realized that she'd be going to the penthouse.

"Come on girl, you came all this way. Just knock," Astrid said aloud to herself as her fist was inches from the wooden door. But before she could drum up the courage the door opened to reveal a lanky auburn-haired man that couldn't have been older than her.

"Uhm... Hi," The man said. "I.. eh... Saw you on the security camera,"

"Oh Thor, I made a mistake didn't I," Astrid mumbled. "There's no way you're looking for a roommate."

"Actually... I am," The man nervously said while rubbing the back of his head. "I got more than enough space... and uhm... It gets lonely living by myself... and Odin above. I sound pathetic don't I?"

"No No!" Astrid quickly assured.

"I'm Hiccup by the way. Hiccup Haddock," He held a hand out. Astrid shook it while introducing herself.

"I'm looking for a place to stay but...," Astrid frowned. "I think this might be a bit out of my price range," 'More than a bit,' she thought.

"I'm sure we can work something out," Hiccup uttered.