Part 2: New Beginnings

"I'm Hiccup by the way. Hiccup Haddock," He said while he held a hand out. The lady shook it while introducing herself as Astrid Hofferson.

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

"I'm sure we can work something out," Hiccup heard himself utter. He certainly wasn't hard up for cash so he could be a bit flexible. "Would you like a tour?"

"Uhm" Astrid seemed to hesitate before nodding. Hiccup stepped back and opened the door further to admit his possible future roommate. Astrid couldn't help but let out a whistle as she was led through the foyer and into the living room which had pristine white couches and a view to die for. "Is that a grand piano?!" Astrid asked upon spotting the instrument under the winding staircase.

"It is," Hiccup nodded. "You play?" Hiccup watched the woman blush slightly when he asked this but she shook her head.

"My younger sister plays," She answered. "She's trying out for the Berk Philharmonic this year."

"That's amazing," Hiccup commented.

Astrid let out a soft laugh that didn't quite reach her smile though. "Yeah, amazing," she muttered.

"So this is the living room. The bedrooms are upstairs and the pool is out on the terrace," Hiccup explained. "The one furthest to the right is mine. You can have your pick of the other two. Though I would suggest bedroom three as it has a skylight."

Astrid gaped at Hiccup and then sputtered "W-Wait a minute, there's no way I can afford this!"

"How much was the rent on your last place?" Hiccup asked.

"Uhm... about 2200 a month," Astrid mumbled.

"And you make?" he continued.

"Around 7000 a month," Astrid frowned. Just where was this guy going with this? Was he going to make fun of her for what would probably be peasant income for him?

"Okay, we can keep it at that," Hiccup shrugged. "2200 a month and you can rent here. The pool and gym are of course included and anything that gets stocked in the fridge and pantry that doesn't have my name on it. The Tower also has a free laundry service for their tenants so feel free to make use of it," He added but Astrid just stood there, stock still staring at the guy as if he was crazy. When she finally opened her mouth though only "Uh??" came out.

"A..Are you insane?!" Astrid finally managed to croak out while gesturing wildly with her hands. "2200 a month for... for all this?" She then backed up a bit and pointed a finger at Hiccup. "Wait, you aren't some serial killer are you?"

"What? No!" Hiccup held his hands in front of him to show he meant no harm. "It's just..." Now he blushed. "It's just I don't actually need the money." He admitted. Astrid frowned. "My family owns this,"

"The penthouse?" She questioned.

"The building," Hiccup deadpanned.

"Huh...." Astrid was at a loss for words again. "The WHOLE building?"

"Haddock Tower," Hiccup gestured to the space and windows that showed that the penthouse towered over several other skyscrapers as if it had been obvious.

Astrid's eyes widened. She had just followed the flyer's directions, not really noticing that she had walked into the prototype of the Berkian Future project. How could she have been so stupid?! Astrid questioned her own brain. It was literally the tallest building in the city that was rapidly expanding to become a metropolis rivaling New York. The Berkian Future project was the brainchild of none other than Stoick 'The Vast' Haddock, a Media and Real estate mogul.

"You're his son aren't you," Astrid finally put two and two together.

"Yeah," Hiccup said nervously as he rubbed the back of his head. He really hoped that she didn't bolt. So far she was the only one to approach him about the vacancy and belatedly he realized that any other renter might have been intimidated when they had gotten to the tower.

"Why would you even need a roommate?" Astrid questioned as her suspicions grew.

"Well... uhm...." Hiccup sighed. "I get lonely,"

"Huh?" For a second time, Astrid was stumped. That was the last answer that would have come to her mind.

"Don't take this the wrong way. I'm glad that my parents support me. They even gave me this place. It has an amazing view and all but.... But it's too big. What am I even going to do with this," Hiccup gestured around the room. "Honestly, I could do with something smaller like a normal apartment but selling it... mom would probably be devastated." He sighed then. "I know she personally decorated it and well... it would look like I wasn't grateful,"

"So you thought a roommate was the answer?" Astrid frowned.

"What if you find your soulmate? She... or He," Astrid corrected because she wasn't going to assume "Would want to move in here. Any roommate you'd have would have to move out or they would be third wheeling."

"You don't have to worry about the soulmate thing. I'm Markless," Hiccup admitted.

Astrid's eyes widened. She hadn't expected that. The Markless were just one percent of the planet's population. So ever meeting one was extremely rare. "Oh," She muttered.

"If that makes you uncomfortable," Hiccup then said.

"No... No... I was just surprised," Astrid uttered. "But are you sure you want to rent this place for so little?" Frankly what Hiccup was offering was a steal. She had no qualms about living with a guy that wasn't her soulmate. She knew her parents might find it scandalous when they found out but right now Astrid couldn't care less. Her mother's dismissal last week of her feelings resurfacing. "At least let me take care of dinner or something," Astrid tried to negotiate. "I don't want to be seen as having nothing to contribute. This whole thing is already way too surreal."

"That's fine," Hiccup shrugged. "I'm usually gone most of the afternoon," he added. "The business is finally taking off."

"Business?" Astrid questioned.

"Oh yeah, I started my own architectural firm," Hiccup explained. "So I'm either designing or inspecting building sites."

"That's..." Okay, Astrid had to admit she hadn't expected Hiccup, the scone of a billion-dollar fortune to start his own business. She also had to admit that she knew nothing about the rich except from what was published in the tabloids. Maybe she shouldn't be too quick to judge the guy.

The rest of the day was a bit of a blur for Astrid as she signed the lease papers Hiccup had and moved her stuff out of her car and into the penthouse. She still couldn't believe this was where she was going to be living. So far her roommate had been nothing but respectful and Astrid thought she might as well cook dinner tonight to display her culinary skills.

So at dinner time, she presented Hiccup, who had taken a seat at the kitchen island, with a plate of what looked to be medium rare steak with sauteed veggies as a side. Even baby corn was included. Hiccup's brows rose and he thanked Astrid for the meal before he dug in.

However, after one bite he stopped mid-chew for a moment, patted his chest, and swallowed. "Just like my mother used to make," Hiccup managed to utter.

Astrid preened at that. A guy comparing a woman's cooking to that of their mother must mean that it was good. So she told Hiccup while spearing a cauliflower on her own plate with her fork "Then don't you worry. I'll take care of dinner from now on!"

Astrid tucked into her own meal and thus didn't notice that Hiccup turned as white as a specter when she uttered that.