Part 7: Benefaction

It was the evening of the Charity ball and Hiccup was pacing at the bottom of the stairs. He was clad in a form-fitting tuxedo that had a set of engraved emerald cufflinks attached.

"Hiccup, I'm ready," Astrid announced as she came down the staircase. Hiccup looked up and his jaw dropped at the sight. If this was a movie then the song Pretty Woman would have been playing in the background. Clad in a black sleeveless evening gown that was adorned with black lace around the neckline and a slit on the right side that went up but stopped just short above her upper thigh made Hiccup gape. Astrid's impromptu shopping trip last week with Heather and Alexi, who had reached out behind her mother's back, had bore fruition. Her hair was done up in an intricate bun-braid type thing, he didn't know what it was called but she had placed several pearls in her hair to accentuate it. The entire ensemble was complimented by a pair of elegant silver earrings, that matched the silver bracelet on her left arm and anklet on her exposed leg.

"Well... what do you think?" Astrid asked Hiccup as she did a little twirl in front of him.

"Hummmmm... ah... uhmm.. Hmmmm rrruuuu," Hiccup uttered, completely slack-jawed. He was used to seeing his roommate dressed in pajamas, sportswear, scrubs, and band T-shirts so this was quite the sight.

"Hiccup... Earth to Hiccup," Astrid said as she waved a hand in front of his eyes and Hiccup realized that he had been spacing out. A bit embarrassed Hiccup uttered "You look amazing,"

"Shall we?" He offered his arm to escort her to the limo his parents had sent. Astrid took the offered arm while hanging her small black and silver-lined purse across her other shoulder. Astrid had forgone the use of foundation to hide the wound. It was mostly gone after a week but the skin was still tender.

"You know, I can't wait to meet your mother," Astrid said once they were downstairs and Hiccup was helping her slide into the backseat. "Maybe we can swap recipes sometimes," When Astrid said this Hiccup nearly hit his head on the doorframe. He played it off as an accident but inwardly he was begging the Norns to be merciful.

The venue for the Charity ball was one of the many hotels Stoick owned. When the limo got there Astrid was clearly nervous upon seeing the paparazzi snapping pictures like crazy. "Hey, it's fine. Just follow my lead," Hiccup stated. Astrid nodded as she knew he could deal with them.

Hiccup slid out gracefully and held his hand out which Astrid took. "We're just going to walk up to about mid-carpet, strike a quick pose and go inside." He whispered to her as his arm steadied Astrid around her waist. Astrid decided to focus on Hiccup when they posed and she let out the breath she'd been holding when they got inside the opulent hotel.

"Are you alright? Your first red carpet can be quite something," Hiccup tried to comfort.

"How are you used to this?!" Astrid asked once she caught her breath.

"I've had to walk that carpet since I was ten," Hiccup told her. "How much do you know about my family?" he asked.

"Just that your mother likes sponsoring charities and your father is this big media and real estate mogul," Astrid answered. "Berk was a pretty small town when I was a kid. It only expanded into this big city after you guys moved here and started buying up land."

"Right... Uhm... okay... So the whole red carpet thing...," Hiccup embarrassingly explained. "The fortune was inherited from our Great grandfather," He told Astrid as he led her towards the ballroom. "He was living a pretty humble life prospecting for gold when he struck oil instead. My grandfather used that family fortune to create movie studios and the like when Hollywood was bustling. Dad expanded the business by adding real estate development to our name.... And... he may have also produced several movies, one of which was where he met mom."

"Your mom was an actress?!" Astrid asked amazed but Hiccup just laughed. "No no, she worked in the wardrobe department. She was the only one who dared to chew dad out when he made mistakes with the period-specific clothing."

"The reason why the charities mom sponsors gain so much press is because she always doubles or triples the total donations received at the end of the night." He explained.

"Wow, that's pretty generous," Astrid remarked. She looked around the ballroom and then said "Also I can feel eyes on us. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing up,"

"I did tell you, bloodsuckers the lot of them." Hiccup smirked.

"Are you going to say hi to your parents?" Astrid asked.

"In a bit. I think I might need a stiff drink before that. Dad and I... welp let's just say we've had some communication issues." He answered.

"Why don't I get us some drinks? You did say they had an open bar right," Astrid offered while gesturing to the bar on the far right. Hiccup just laughed and nodded.

Astrid went up to the bar and ordered a bourbon on the rocks, which she knew Hiccup had mentioned he drank, while she got herself a flute of champagne. She had only left Hiccup's side for probably three, or four, minutes and he already had three or four people approach him.

"...Well if my sister isn't to your taste how about me?" A handsome man asked Hiccup in a husky voice as he tried to decline.

"Hiccup darling, I got your drink," Astrid stated a bit louder than usual to get their attention. She then possessively wrapped her arms around Hiccup's. "Hiccup you must introduce us," She uttered while looking smugly at the gathered ladies and gent as if she was the cat that caught the cream factory.

Introductions were said and done, small talk was made and the others excused themselves as Hiccup stated that he ought to go greet his parents. When the people had left he downed the bourbon in one go and coughed as it burned his throat. Astrid meanwhile, was sipping her flute of champagne while hanging off of Hiccup's arm possessively. Astrid's glares kept most eager suitors away and Hiccup was grateful for that. They made their way through the crows and soon stood face-to-face with Stoick and Valka.

"Hiccup you made it!" Valka exclaimed as she proceeded to hug her son. Meanwhile, Stoick uttered "Son," as a greeting while Hiccup uttered "Dad," back.

'Geeze he wasn't kidding by communication issues,' Astrid thought.

"And who is this lovely lady?" Valka asked as she looked Astrid up and down with a critical eye. "I absolutely love your dress," she added as her eye for fashion approved.

"Mom, dad, this is Astrid Hofferson," Hiccup introduced and both Stoick and Valka were beaming eagerly until he added "My roommate," they blinked in confusion for a moment before Stoick asked, "by roommate do you mean roommate or... roommate roommate?"

"We're just roommates," Hiccup explained. "Astrid is doing me the favour of keeping the crowd at bay,"

"And here I thought I could bring out the wedding book," Valka sighed.

"Mom!" Hiccup exclaimed with exasperation.

"I just want you to be happy Hiccup," Valka muttered.

"And I really appreciate that but I'm fine mom. Seriously." He told her. "Look, I can tell you why I'm so reluctant to date but that will have to be after the ball."

"Very well honey," Valka stated. "And Astrid, why don't you and I take a little walk? I'm sure Hiccup and Stoick want to catch up as well,"

Stoick made an awkward cough when he and Hiccup were left alone. "So... son,"

"Dad," Hiccup answered back and the awkwardness continued.

"I hear you started your own business," Stoick said.

"Yes, it's an architecture firm," Hiccup replied stiffly.

"Are ya sure there is nothing going on between you and the lass?" Stoick then asked.

"DAD!" Hiccup blushed.

"Ah... this is awkward..." Stoick muttered.

"So glad we agree," Hiccup whispered.

When Astrid and Valka returned both Stoick and Hiccup were standing silently next to each other with arms crossed. "Did you boys have a good talk?" Valka asked. "Astrid and I were just talking about swapping some stew recipes. Hiccup, did you know she has a new way to make corn soup?"

"Eh...." Hiccup said as his mind went blank before it began to scream in despair.

"Hey Hiccup, who is this Alvin person?" Astrid asked once the Haddocks went to greet other guests.

"Huh?" Hiccup raised a brow.

"Your mother said that your dad might be a bit crabby because Alvin kissed the back of her hand in front of him," Astrid explained.

"Ooooh.... Uncle Alvin," Hiccup said as he got some inside joke. "Well, he's not really my uncle but he's been around long enough for me to call him that." He then explained. "Uncle Alvin was the Director of the movie that dad was investing in. The same movie where dad met mom. Turns out dad had competition."

"So this Alvin has a flame burning for your mother?" Astrid raised a brow.

"Had, he's married now but he does like to get on dad's nerves at times and act flirty with mom. We all know it doesn't mean anything," Hiccup shrugged.

Just as Astrid was about to ask something else a haughty female voice interrupted her by saying "Hiccup Haddock, as I live and breathe. It really is you,"

"Fuck," Astrid heard Hiccup curse under his breath as he and Astrid turned around to see a very pretty brown-haired woman hanging on the arm of her date. "I've missed you Hiccup," she said with a smirk and Astrid could see Hiccup's nails digging into his palms.