Wanted to get this one up today too... so an extra treat for you wonderful readers.

Chapter 13 – Gate 13

Hiccup couldn't help but feel giddy as he drove towards his dad's house. He knew Astrid might want to hold off for a bit to make sure she wouldn't be a rebound, but maybe she wouldn't. Maybe she wouldn't leave. Maybe they'd spend the time together.
He could envision it in his head. He would walk in, stride into her room and kiss her firmly and passionately. He'd tell her he wanted her, for the long haul. That she was his choice and that he and Carly were over. Then they would share another kiss, and if he was lucky, they'd take to the bed and make passionate love for hours. And she'd tell him she wasn't going to leave after all, that she would stay here with him, planning for their future and their adventures for after Fishlegs's and Rosie's wedding.

He had it all planned out perfectly. Nothing could go wrong. Ok she might be in the living room or kitchen, but other than that, the plan was flawless. As Hiccup pulled up, he noticed his Dad's car was gone. Perfect. They'd be alone, which made the possibility of sex happening go up!
Hiccup strode up to the front door feeling confident and happy. He was going to find the girl of his dreams and finally be able to kiss her, to touch her and be with her without any guilt. He couldn't hear any movement downstairs so he went upstairs and paused outside her bedroom door.
He took a breath to compose himself, and then opened the door and walked in.

Tuff glanced at his phone. Still nothing back from Hiccup. And when he tried to phone it was going straight to answerphone. Maybe things had gotten really bad with Carly. Or maybe, worse, he'd ended up in bed with her. Tuff wouldn't put it past her to try using sex to keep Hiccup from ending things.

He glanced back across to the rest of the group. Time was running out. Where was Hiccup?

The room was empty. Astrid wasn't in there. But nor was her stuff. Her rucksack was gone. There was no lycra on the chair ready to be worn. He bar-tending uniform was gone. The invite for Rosie and Fishlegs's wedding was no longer sat on top of the dresser beside her hairbrush.

Hiccup ran into every room in the house, praying she was simply elsewhere, waiting for him, but she was nowhere. But as he crashed into his own bedroom, he found a book on the bed, a folded jumper beside it, two of his shirts, a plastic Viking helmet and sword and a folded sheet of white paper with his name on it.

'Hiccup

I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was going. I knew you would try to stop me, but I need to go. I can't give up on my plans and dreams for you. Especially since you don't even know what you want yet. Besides, you need time and space to decide what you want, what is right for you, and I just don't think you can make that decision, or make an informed decision, if I'm there with you causing you to be as tempted as I am.

I've really loved being here in Berk, and getting to know you has been amazing. But I guess maybe it was just a case of being in the right place at the wrong time. Maybe when I come back for the wedding, things will be different, and you'll know, one way or the other, what it is you want.

Until then I think we both need some space and time. I wish you all the best, and hey, we've always got the memories right?

Give Toothless a big hug and kiss from me,

See you at the wedding,

Love,

Astrid'

It was like something snapped inside of him. He didn't even look at anything else. He just dropped the note and ran out of the room, dialling Tuff as he went.

"I can't believe you're going." Heather said as she hugged Astrid tightly. "I'll miss you!"

"I know, I'll miss you too, all of you. But I need to go. Things are kind of messy right now, and besides, I always planned to move on. That plan never changed. It's just the right time."

Tuff's phone rang and he slipped away to answer it. Snotlout hugged Astrid tight.

"You did good though. And you were fun. Promise you'll come back again for more than just the wedding?"

"Maybe someday, might do a couple weeks around the wedding. Don't let him get boring whilst I'm gone. And improve your shot skills! Or you'll struggle at the wedding!"

After hugging Ruff and Gobber, who began to cry, Astrid turned to Valka and Stoick who were standing apart.

"You two, I can't thank you enough for your hospitality, and whilst it isn't really my place, I'm going to say it. Learn to be civil, to communicate and be friendly. It isn't fair to Hiccup to feel like a go-between or feel torn between you. You don't have to love each other, or even be friends. But you have to be able to talk, to see each other. For Hiccup. Promise me you'll work on it?"

They exchanged glances but nodded, and only then did Astrid hug each of them in turn, Stoick almost crushing her as he lifted her up in a bear hug.

Rosie then hugged Astrid tight.

"Thank you Astrid. You've been such as fun and great friend, you've made me feel much more confident in myself. You'll have to come back just before the wedding for dress fitting and such!"

"I'll send you my details Rosie, but I'll come back early, just for you!"

She turned to Fishlegs and smiled.

"Come on, you. Give me a hug goodbye."

He slowly put his arms round her.

"I have to go, he needs time. But I'm not giving up on him. But he has to make his own choice."

"I know. We'll see you for the wedding."

"Tuff! Where is Astrid?!"

"I sent you a message bro! We're at the airport! She's about to leave, she's saying goodbye to everyone!"

"I didn't get a message! I just found a note on my bed from her saying goodbye!"

"Well hurry your ass down here! We're at gate 13! She'll be boarding in like fifteen minutes! Drive like a maniac!"

"Just try and delay her going to board! I'll be there as soon as I can, ten minutes hopefully!"

"Ok, just go!" Tuff called before hanging up.

Hiccup started the engine of his car again and drove as fast as he could towards the Berk airport to find Astrid.

"Ok, have I said goodbye to everyone? Oh Tuff, there you are. I haven't said goodbye to you yet."

"Oh yeah, can it, can it wait… I just really don't want to say goodbye yet…"

"Awwww Tuff that's sweet, but I need to go into boarding. My flight leaves soon."

"But just… just five more minutes…"

"Tuff, I need to go. I don't want to say goodbye either, but I'll be back for the wedding! So it's not really goodbye, just a 'see you soon'."

"Ok… well err…"

Tuff couldn't think of any delay tactics! Hiccup better get here quick!

"Awww, I'll miss you Tuff." Astrid hugged him. "You look after this crazy bunch for me whilst I'm gone! I'll see you again soon, I promise!"

Hiccup pulled into a space in the airport and ran up to the desk to find out where to go to see someone off. They were not helpful and it took them several minutes to give him a pass to go see someone off, security check him and take his ID and credit card as insurance.
He charged through as fast as he could to find gate 13, he had to get there before Astrid left!

"Ok guys, I love you all! Look after Hiccup for me won't you? I'll see you all soon!" Astrid gave them all one last hug and waved as she went to board. Tuff was looking around for some sign of Hiccup. Where was he?

Gate 13! Finally! Hiccup could see his parents, Gobber and the others all standing there in a group. He ran in and past them.

"Astrid, wait!"

But she wasn't there. And they were all looking out of the window as the plane began its run along the runway for take-off.

"No…" He said softly, moving over to the window, watching as the plane sped up and then took to the sky.

"Oh Hiccup…" His mother's voice came.

"Son, I'm sorry." His father added.

Hiccup turned around. He was too late. Just too late.

"She's gone?" He asked them all, even though he already knew the answer. They just nodded and hugged him, staring at the window as the plane grew smaller and smaller.

It was late when Hiccup came home with his Dad and Gobber. He didn't say much. He just went up to his room, pausing to look in the now empty room where Astrid had been. Toothless followed him, sensing Hiccup's unhappiness. Hiccup felt rotten about having missed her. What if she met someone else in the months before the wedding?

Maybe it was just how it was meant to be. He had screwed up, hadn't been able to decide which girl he wanted, and now he had neither of them. He closed the door of the bedroom and went into his own, his phone buzzed. Carly.

Carly: Awwww did you miss seeing your little whore? Tough shit bastard. Shame you didn't see Tuff's message. Shame you left your phone with me after ending things whilst you went to get your stuff. Burn in hell asshole. I hope you never see her again and are miserable. Sent 22.46

Hiccup gave a scream of anger and frustration. She'd deleted the message from Tuff. Carly had done it knowing he'd never get to Astrid in time. With another cry of annoyance he collapsed on his bed and removed his prosthetic limb, dumping it beside him. But it landed on the other stuff Astrid had left with a slight clunk. Hiccup sat up and looked sideways at it.
He then drew his stump onto the bed further and pulled his other leg up too and began to look at the pile properly. She'd returned his shirts that she'd borrowed and left the jumper of hers that Toothless had adopted. That pulled at his heartstrings in a way he'd not expected. And there was the Viking stuff they had bought at the museum, or at least, his half of it. Then there was that book.

It was red fabric with the word 'memories' stitched in golden thread on it.

Inside Hiccup found hundreds of photos.

Photos that had obviously been taken on mobile phones on nights out.

Photos from the museum.

Photos from the party where the Night and the Furies performed.

Photos of him, his friends and Astrid.

Photos of Toothless with him and Astrid.

Photos just of them.

Hiccup turned each page with a sad smile. She'd obviously spent a while doing this. She must have been planning to go for ages.

Maybe he really couldn't have stopped her. Maybe this was best.

She needed to keep doing her adventures. And he needed time and space. He might already have made his choice, but it was about his whole life, not just Astrid. And he'd use this time to be him, to build this life. Maybe then, when she came back, he'd be ready for her.

Maybe then, they wouldn't have to be worried about temptation.

The End…

… For now anyway. After all, love is irresistible.

Look out for the next instalment - Irresistible