(A/N: I feel like Astrid relates to the song above.)

How long could she have waited? Five minutes? Ten? Fifteen? She wasn't sure anymore. Henry had told her to wait at the entrance so, there she sat, waiting at her teacher. her last class had ended about fifteen-twenty minutes ago.

She was settled on a bench at the entrance, listening to NF. Her currently favorite songs from him were, "Let You Down," and, "If You Want Love," and, "Lost In The Moment." She sang along under her breath.

Many people didn't know but Asrid was actually a great singer and she loved doing it. Obviously, her parents had seen potential in her because they made her join a singing class and later, the choir. She always sang when she was home, whether she was showering, cleaning or just being on her computer.

Nothing extraordianary, really. 

Astrid turned down the volume when she heard a faint, "Hey," and looked up only to find Henry standing there. "Sorry for making you wait. I had a troube student that Ihad to take ot the principal. Anyway, wanna go?" He asked and gestures for the door.

"Sure," Astrid said and stood up from the bench, following after him. They exited the school and slowly started walking down the slight hill to the parking lot below.

He pulled out his car keys and pressed the unlock button. A big car in the far end of the parking lot blinked and unlocked.

They walked over to it and Henry opened the driver's door, getting in. "Come on, hop in," He said. Astrid hesitated but got into the car, closing the door behind her. She put her bag on the floor at her feet and reached for the seatbelt, buckling it. She wiggled in the seat and hummed.

Henry looked over at her. "What is it?" He asked. Astrid shook her head. "Nothing. It's really comfortable."

He smiled at her. "It is. It's kind of the reason why I got this cra. Not only is it big and that it's strong, but also because it's comfortable. I'm usually the taxi chauffeur to my friends and all of them can fit in here," Henry confirmed, shrugging. He put the keys in the ignition, turning them. The car started with a deep, rattling exhaust sound and Henry slowly backed out from the parking lot.

"You're a car guy, aren't you?" Astrid asked. Henry hummed with a nod. She smiled. "Me too. I love watching Fast And Furious and car videos on YouTube," She said. Henry chuckled. "Me too."

The rest of the journey was quiet. Astrid didn't really feel too uncomfortable anymore. She had a feeling that Henry was actually trying to help her. He already seemed like a nice guy. Even if he was her teacher, he didn't look much older than her. She was curious when his birthday was. Would it be rude if she asked? Fuck it.

"...Henry?" She asked. He looked over at her for a second. "Hmm?" He hummed. "Weird question...when is your birthday. You don't seem too much older than me."

He smiled. "I'm not. I was born on February 29th, 1997," He said, casually. Astrid looked at him. "Leap year? I was born on April 18th, 1997! You're only two months older than me. How are you a teacher?" [1&2]

"I graduated when I was eighteen because my dad thought I was too smart for school so I became a teacher for the subject I was the best  in, - which was physics," Henry explained with a shrug. A small, "Oh," came from Astrid as she watched them pull up to a small house with a small garden. "We're here," He said and put the car in neutral before turning it off. Astrid was about to get out when he stopped her.

"Uh, wait."

Astrid looked at him. "Hm?"

"You...you're not afraid of cats...are you?" He asked with a sheepish smile. Astrid only stared at him. "Couldn't you have told me earlier?" Astrid asked and looked at him, dumbfound.

Henry shrugged and waited impatiently for an answer.

"No, I'm not afraid of cats."

Henry exhaled and pulled out the keys, stepping out and shutting the door behind him. Astrid swore she felt the whole car sway at the force.

She stepped out and closed the door behind her, hanging her bag over her shoulder.

They walked up to the front door and while Henry unlocked it, Astrid looked around to register the place. It was nice. She snapped back to reality when Henry coughed to get her attention. They stepped inside and she was welcomed by a warm and very soft looking house.

Henry closed the door and locked it. Astrid stood there and took in the surroundings once again. Henry was a guy and she had never seen a house so clean in her life. Guy's did have the reputation of being messy pigs most pf the time.

She looked at Henry. "So, where's that "famous" cat you were talking about?" She asked.

Henry smirked and whistles. Loud thumps where heard from upstairs. Astrid gulped. "Er...what kind of cat is this, really?" She asked nervously because that sounded like a bear than a cat.

"He's a Maine Coon. Don't worry, he's nice. He's just...he's got a big appetite and...well, he's kind of...hefty? Yeah."

A cat suddenly came shooting down the stairs and right towards Henry. Astrid just watched as the cat jumped from a few yards away and landed on her teacher. Henry staggered to catch his balance before wrapping his arms around the pure black cat.

Astrid dropped everythin, hand on her mouth.

Holy mother of god, that is not a cat. That's a goddamn Panther.

•••

They had settled at the table, just finishing up the chicken fajita pasta Henry had thrown together in 20 minutes. Astrid had wanted to help not to feel useless but Henry had insisted on making it himself since she was a guest.

Eating with her teacher didn't feel as awkward as she thought it would be but, she still wasn't completely comfortable. She barely knew him other than him being her teacher. Henry spoke up, "I hope it was edible, this was the third time I've done it. I almost burned down the house the first time and the second time, it turned out so bad that even Toothless gagged," He said with a small small.

Astrid laughed. "It was really good, don't worry. Thank you."

"You're welcome. I'm glad you liked it. I usually eat alone and, when I do, it's usually a sandwich or some other junk that isn't too healthy."

Astrid nodded, "It's kind of the same when I'm alone. I never go out with friends when they invite me because I'm not really in the mood. I'd rather stay in and watch a sappy movie or something."

Henry nodded. "How are you feeling though?" He asked.

Astrid looked up from her plate. "Honestly, I feel okay right now."

He nodded again. "And...um, when did you last...?" He trailed off and pointed to her arms covered by a thick, light blue hoodie. "Oh...you mean when I last self harmed?" She asked casually, pulling up her sleeves in the mean time. "About a week ago, why?" Astrid said honestly.

It felt weird talking about it but, somehow, she found comfort in it too. Like, she could finally talk to someone about it and not having to keep it in anymore.

"Holy-" Henry choaked mid sentence, looking at her scars. "M...may I?" He asked and reached out a hand towards her over the table..

Astrid shrugged lightly with a sad smile.

Henry slowly slid his fingers under her knuckles before softly grasping her hand in his.

Astrid inhaled deeply.

The last time she felt someone touch her like that was her father. And Henry's hand felt exactly like her fathers had. Rough and calloused but still extremely soft.

His eyes moved from her hand to her eyes to her hand again.

He examined her forearm, - wrist, mainly Standing up. he took his chair and put it down beside hers, sitting down. "Astrid..." He whispered and wrapped his right arm around her shoulder, pulling her in.

Hemoved his hand over her back softly, burrying his nose into her one-of-a-kind braid.

The blonde didn't answer but slowly nodded into his chest, a teardrop or two landing on their hands. She couldn't care about anything other then the hug and Henry at that moment.

"I'll help you. I'll promise. I'm not gonna let you hurt yourself or get hurt anymore. I'll be here for you, I promise."

She was so tired. So tired of life being like this but also so tired from today. She felt so safe at that moment with his arms around her. She didn't care if she could come off as rude later. Closing her eyes, she slowly drifted off, feeling Henry's breath on her collar.

Her dreams were full of cats and one certain physics teacher.

(A/N:

[1] I know year 1999 isn't leap year but, come on, bear with me.
[2] America Ferrera is born on April 18th so I gave Astrid the same birthday.)

- Toothless_NightFury1.